Prevalence of Sickle-Cell Trait and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency

The frequency of G-6-PD deficiency and sickle trait was determined in 4028 Negroes living in the San Francisco Bay Area. The frequency of G-6-PD deficiency was significantly higher among younger than older Negro males. No significant alteration by age was found for sickle-trait frequency. G-6-PD deficiency appears to define a group with higher risk of mortality than the general population. Future studies should be directed toward defining the specific clinical effects of the trait on increased mortality.