Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in the peoples of the Niger Delta.

Abstract

Summary1. The results are recorded of screening tests for G6PD enzyme activity in 902 Nigerians chosen at random from Rivers Province in the Niger delta.2. Evidence is provided of a lowering of mean falciparum ring count among enzyme‐deficient children.3. The trait frequency amongst males was 21 %.4. The female results showed a lower frequency of enzyme‐deficient individuals than was expected from the male frequencies.5. Possible reasons for this were discussed in relation to the problem of a polymorphism at a sex‐linked locus.This paper was read at a meeting of the Society for the Study of Human Biology (21 April 1961) and represents part of an M.D. thesis submitted by one of us (R.H.) to the University of Liverpool.The field work was made possible by a Nuffield Foundation Grant and with the co‐operation of the Rural Health Service of the Ministry of Health, Eastern Region, Nigeria. The illustrations were prepared by Mr D. J. Kidd and Mr A. Herbert, Faculty of Medicine, University of Liverpool.We are deeply indebted to Dr G. A. Harrison, Anthropology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, University of Liverpool for his many helpful criticisms.