ABSTRACT
The objective of this study is to study the absolute number of nucleated red blood
cells (RBC) at birth, an index of active fetal erythropoiesis, in infants with G6PD
deficiency and in controls. We tested the hypothesis that hematocrit and hemoglobin
would be lower, and absolute nucleated RBC counts higher, in the G6PD deficient and
that these changes would be more prominent in infants exposed passively to fava bean
through maternal diet.
Thirty-two term infants with G6PD deficiency were compared with 30 term controls.
Complete blood counts with manual differential counts were obtained within 12 hours
of life. Absolute nucleated RBC and corrected leukocyte counts were computed from
the Coulter results and the differential count.
G6PD deficient patients did not differ from controls in terms of gestational age,
birth weight, or Apgar scores or in any of the hematologic parameters studied, whether
or not the mother reported fava beans consumption in the days prior to delivery.
Although intrauterine hemolysis is possible in G6PD deficient fetuses exposed passively
to fava beans, our study supports that such events must be very rare.
KEYWORDS
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency - fetal hemolysis - fava beans
