Screening for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in blood donors

Aim: Our purpose was to determine the frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in blood donors of Jahrom, Iran. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from the 706 blood donors who referred to Jahrom Blood Transfusion Organization between June and September 2008. Enzyme assays were performed three times, on day 1 (day of blood sampling), 7 and 45 days after blood storage. G6PD activity was measured using a quantitative assay. Results: A total of 706 samples were examined. 97.7% males and 2.3% females, mean age 32.6 years (18-64 years). Based on enzyme activity less than 1.62 IU/g hemoglobin (Hb), prevalence of G6PD deficiency in three separate measurements was 16.3, 19.1 and 33.3% respectively. Four percent of donor had an enzyme level of zero on day 1 which increased to 7.4 and 10.7% on the seventh and the forty-fifth days. Conclusion: The results of this study support the screening for G6PD as part of the routine workup of blood donors in areas with a high prevalence of G6PD deficiency.