Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase : distribution of the African form in the Arab and Mediterranean countries

Abstract

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is a critical enzyme for protecting red blood cells from oxidative damage. G6PD deficiency is an X-linked recessive disorder caused by mutations in the G6PD gene and affects nearly 400 million people worldwide. Among G6PD deficient individuals, it is common to experience the premature breakdown of red blood cells in the face of oxidative stress. It has been found in the literature that the African variants of G6PD A- is more common in the Arab countries than in the Mediterranean’s, but its percentage is low compared to other forms of G6PD deficiency.