Complications and Risks of G6PD Deficiency

Most people with G6PD deficiency never have serious problems. Complications occur when haemolysis is severe or goes unrecognised.

Possible complications

• Acute haemolytic anaemia. A sudden drop in red blood cells, with weakness, breathlessness and a fast heartbeat. Severe cases may need a blood transfusion.
• Jaundice. Yellowing from the breakdown of red cells.
• Kidney injury. Severe haemolysis can release substances that harm the kidneys, with dark urine and reduced urine output.
• Newborn jaundice and kernicterus. In babies, very high bilirubin can damage the brain if not treated promptly. This is a medical emergency.
• Gallstones. Long-term, repeated haemolysis can raise the risk of pigment gallstones.
• Chronic anaemia. In the rare chronic form of the condition.
• Complications of delayed diagnosis. Using a harmful medicine again because the condition was not known.

Higher-risk situations

• Severe variants (such as the Mediterranean type)
• Newborns
• Use of high-risk drugs such as primaquine, dapsone or rasburicase without testing
• Severe infections
• Eating fava beans in sensitive people

Warning signs

• Dark or cola-coloured urine
• Yellow skin or eyes
• Severe weakness or fainting
• Breathlessness or chest pain
• A baby who looks yellow, feeds poorly or is very sleepy
• Reduced urine output

Seek urgent care. Call 112 or 102.

Reducing risk

Testing before risky medicines, avoiding triggers, telling all doctors, treating infections early, and watching newborns for jaundice all lower the chance of complications.