What could be done to manage anemia and G6PD deficiency?

Question

Hi doctor,

My son is G6PD deficient. He is already 10 months old. We have been having CBC since the first month, and the result is somewhat close. In his latest result, just taken yesterday, RBC is 4.09 (unit:x10^6/μL), hemoglobin is 112 (g/L), hematocrit is 0.33 (L/L), and WBC is 12000 x10^9/μL. Differential count: neutrophil is 0.46 (normal range: 0.50 to 0.70) while monocyte is 0.12 (normal range: 0.01 to 0.06). He had a fever yesterday that triggered us to do another CBC test, though he is alright now. He only had a fever twice; the first time was when he had a cold.

I am worried about his anemia, which started as early as one month. We have been taking iron supplements, but there has been no significant development, so we decided to stop for one month, now worrying about iron overload. We are really careful with his food intake and avoid triggers since he is deficient in G6PD. What can you advise to cure his anemia?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Do not try to stop medication on your own. It is advisable to visit his pediatrician or hematologist for an examination.

Your child's hemoglobin level remains persistently low as per history. So, chronic hemolysis or intermittent hemolysis might be present. Clinical severity can be correlated with the estimation of serum LDH and serum bilirubin. Iron and Folic acid can be prescribed by his doctor for that. If no improvement and the Hb deficiency is more, a blood transfusion might be given.

The main treatment for G6PD deficiency is the avoidance of drugs and chemicals that lead to hemolysis, and the avoidance of fava beans.

I hope this information will be beneficial to you.

Feel free to reach out in case of further queries.

Thank you.