Study of red cell membrane lipids in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency anemia.

Red cell membrane lipids and plasma lipids were studied in 20 patients with G.6.P.D. deficiency, during acute hemolysis and 45-60 days later-20 normal controls were similarly investigated. All lipids in G-6-P-D deficient cells were found to be diminished during the attack of hemolysis and to return back with the exception of lecithin to normal after recovery. Plasma cholesterol and phospholipids were markedly diminished during acute hemolysis, but slightly reduced on recovery.