Aspects of sickle cell gene in Saudi Arabia--interaction with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency and sickle cell haemoglobin (Hb S) are red cell genetic abnormalities that occur at a high frequency in several areas of the world including several areas of Saudi Arabia. Genetic and clinical interactions between these two disorders are reported to occur in some populations. In the present investigations, samples from affected individuals were studied for the prevalence of G-6-PD deficiency and Hb S genes. The results of haematological parameters and common clinical findings in the Hb S homozygotes with and without G-6-PD deficiency are presented and the possibility that the two conditions interact beneficially is discussed.