Epidemiological Study of Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Scheduled Caste Population of India

The aim of the present study was to determine the glucose-6-phostphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in scheduled caste (SC) population of eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. After taking clearance certificate from the Institutional Ethics Committee, blood samples were collected from total 200 healthy individuals belonging to scheduled caste. G6PD deficiency analysis was done by methemoglobin test according to the method of Brewer et al. (1962). Out of 200 samples, 20 individuals were glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient and 22 samples were heterozygous that is, carriers. The percentage of G6PD deficient (Gd+/+) and G6PD carrier (Gd+/Gd−) phenotypes were 10% and 11%, respectively. The frequency of mutant allele (Gd−) was observed 0.172. Early detection and prevention is the key strategy for successful management and control of this genetic disease.