Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a possible risk factor for the development of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is partially attributed to lipid peroxidation of the syncytitrophoblast plasma membranes (SPMs). Peroxidation of the SPMs could be augmented when the capacity of the cells to produce antioxidant molecules is diminished. One of the most important antioxidant molecules that protects the SPMs is the reduced glutathione (GSH). The latter is produced in the pentose phosphate pathway that requires normal activity of glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). Therefore, it is hypothesized that pregnant women with G6PD deficiency are at higher risk for development of preeclampsia than those with normal G6PD activity. Deficiency of this enzyme leads to the deficiency of reduced GSH which is required to protect SPMs against lipid peroxidation and the consequent obstetric morbidity.