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Glucose Deficiency in Babies

Glucose deficiency in babies, know as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) occurs when red blood cells are destroyed. The blood cells are destroyed because the baby's G6PD enzyme does not produce enough gluthatione to fight free radicals. (See Reference 2)

  1. Effects

    • Babies who have a glucose deficiency usually have hemolytic anemia. This will cause them to be jaundiced, have an enlarged spleen, pain in their backs and abdomen and urine that is dark brown in color. (See Reference 1)

    Causes

    • Glucose deficiency in babies is caused by an inherited gene. This gene is on the X chromosome. (See Reference 2)

    Identification

    • To determine whether or not a baby suffers from a glucose deficiency, a doctor will draw blood to do a blood smear to look for a destruction of blood cells. They will also check to see if the G6PD in the blood is low. (See Reference 2)

    Treatments

    • Treatments of glucose deficiency in babies include avoiding things that raise the amount of free radicals in the body such as certain prescription drugs like doxorubicin. For babies that have jaundice, phototherapy is used to treat the jaundice. (See Reference 2 and 3)

    Considerations

    • Male African American babies are more likely to have a glucose deficiency. Female African American babies are carriers of the disorder. (See Reference 2)

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