Introduction & Objective: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common metabolic disease of red blood cells. It affects about 35 millions people in the entire world. Its incidence in IRAN is estimated to be 10-14.9%. Transfusion of G6PD deficient blood produces many untoward side effects in recipients. Despite the high incidence of the disease and such risks, blood donors are not screened routinely for this enzyme deficiency. This study performed on effects of G6PD deficient blood in patients admitted in Pediatric & Neonatal ward of Yasouj Emam Sajjad Hospital for detection of proposed side effects.   

Materials & Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 261 bags of blood during transfusion and the samples were checked for G6PD. Also patients receiving G6PD deficient blood were checked for hemoglobin, serum bilirubin and hemoglobinuria. Factors that tend to hemolysis in G6PD deficient patient were mentioned.

Results: 37 (14.7%) of samples were G6PD deficient. 81% of donors had at least a risk factor that tend to hemolysis in G6PD deficient state. Side effects of transfusion of G6PD deficient blood included: non significant elevation of hemoglobin (55.9%), hemoglobinuria (35.3%) and increase in serum bilirubin (8.8%).  

Conclusion: It is recommended that in areas where G6PD deficiency is endemic, donors’ blood must be screened before transfusion.