Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency

IT has been estimated that the red cells of more than 200 million people are deficient in the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). This X-linked hereditary deficiency was discovered more than 30 years ago as an outgrowth of studies of the unique sensitivity of some persons to the hemolytic action of drugs.1 Since that time much has been learned about the population genetics of G6PD deficiency and its effect on human health. More than 400 putative variants of the enzyme have been described, distinguished by their biochemical characteristics. However, some once-accepted concepts concerning the relation between G6PD deficiency and hemolysis have . . .