Human hair follicles may be used for population screening of heterozygotes of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

The carrier status for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency can still be detected with the use of hair follicles after a period up to 10-14 days after plucking, even under conditions of temperature and humidity that are encountered in tropical countries, where the disease is most common. Furthermore, it is shown that the hair colour or age of the donor has no influence on the enzyme activity. As a consequence, the hair follicle is indeed suitable for screening in rural areas since mailing to existing medical centres is possible.