What is the impact of G-6-PD Deficiency (if any) on the mental and physical development of a child ?
Eric Loh & Helen Lim, Sembawang, Singapore) Answer: There has been no study relating either mental or physical development of a child to G-6-PD deficiency. It is true that other inherited metabolic diseases (notably Phenylketonuria and Galactosaemia) lead to mental retardation if not promptly dealt with at an early stage. However, this is not true for G-6-PD patients. The main clinical manifestation of this deficiency is (induced) haemolysis. This is usually the result of the existence of an oxidizing factor and is an “external” parameter. It can be a drug, an infection or some foods. In most cases this passes unnoticed because the organism is able to counteract. Most patients live a perfectly normal life without ever noticing the effect of this disorder. It is true that in some cases the haemolysis may be a severe one but this is mostly the exception rather than the rule. A G-6-PD deficient child will probably live a perfectly normal life provided he takes the precautions mentioned pr
