The relationship of erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency to hyperbilirubinemia in Negro premature infants

All of the Negro nfants admitted to a premature nursery during a four month interval were essayed for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Ten of 87 were found to be deficient. Serum bilirubin levels of 20 mg. per cent or more were attained in six of these ten infants, and five required exchange transfusions. In contrast, only eight of the remaining seventy-seven infants required exchange transfusions. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency of the Negro premature infant, unlike that of the Negro term infant, appears to be associated with an increased risk of hyperbilirubinemia.