The hemolytic process of viral hepatitis inchildren with normal or deficient glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity

Abstract

The incidence and degree of the hemolytic process associated with viral hepatitis wasstudied in 125 children; 16 were deficient in erythrocyte G-6-PD and 5 were heterozygotes for β-thalassemia. Hemolysis was observed in 24 (23 per cent) of the nondeficient subjects, 14 (87 per cent) of those with G-6-PD deficiency, and in 4 (80 per cent) of the heterozygotes. In the nondeficient patients hemolysis was unusual and mild. Moderate and severe hemolysis occurred only in 6 children with G-6-PD deficiency and in 3 with thalassemia trait. Bilirubinemia was generally more pronounced in the patients with the erythrocyte defects; levels higher than 25 mg. per cent were noted in 4 of them. These findings suggest that either G-6-PD deficiency or thalassemia trait may modify the clinical course of viral hepatitis by favoring the induction of hemolysis and hyperbilirubinemia.