| Abstract: | One hundred and twenty cord and 320 venous blood samples were collected from Libyan newborns and adults respectively for the estimation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) activity by a screening technique and by quantitative estimation. The mean (S.D.) enzyme activity in the non-deficient neonates and adults was 1.13 (0.23) and 0.87 (0.21) IU/ml RBC/min respectively. The incidence of G-6-PD deficiency in the male population was 2.8%. The enzyme activity in the deficient male population ranged from 0-19.5%; none of them was symptomatic or had haematological abnormality. Of the female subjects 1.8% had enzyme activity of 50-65%. The frequency of enzyme deficiency appears to be low compared with that found in other Arab populations and is comparable with the incidence in other mediterranean countries. |
