Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase status and neonatal jaundice.

Neonatal jaundice and its relationship to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) status of healthy, term Chinese infants was evaluated in 220 G6PD-deficient infants, 26 intermediate infants who were observed for 3 weeks, and 116 normal (control) infants. Each infant was free of isoimmunisation, cephalhaematomas, or contusions. The mode of labour, method of delivery, and type of feeds had no appreciable effect on daily bilirubin levels. "Elevated" physiological jaundice was associated with normal and G6PD-deficient status; there was no increased haemolysis. G6PD-deficient status was associated with jaundice significantly raised especially in the first week of life, and prolonged beyond that of the "elevated" physiological jaundice. Significantly increased though mild haemolysis was observed. Close surveillance is therefore required for G6PD-deficient infants at least for the first week of life, the period of increased risk. With G6PD-intermediate infants, only the usual measures for normal infants are required.