G6PD Deficiency: How to Care for Your Child

Your child has glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. G6PD is a protein in the body that helps red blood cells work. G6PD deficiency is when there isn't enough G6PD inside the red cells. With too little G6PD, the red blood cells become sensitive to some foods, medicines, chemicals, and infections. There are things you can do to help your child stay safe.

• Check the ingredients in prepared foods and ask about ingredients when dining out.

• Your child should not eat:

  • fava beans (also called "broad beans"). Fava beans may be in falafel, stews, gluten-free baked goods, or other foods.

  • bitter melon (also called "bitter gourd"), an ingredient in some African and Asian cooking.

  • any other food your child was told to avoid

• Your child should avoid touching or breathing in:

  • henna products. Henna is in henna "tattoos" and some natural hair dyes.

  • naphthalene, a chemical found in mothballs, moth crystals, and some toilet fresheners. Do not use naphthalene products in your home.

  • wood finishing products that contain aniline dyes

• Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist before giving your child any new medicine, herb, or supplement. Ask if the medicine or supplement is safe for your child.

• Be sure to tell other health care providers about your child's G6PD deficiency.

Your child:

• has yellow skin or the white part of the eyes turns yellow

• has dark urine (pee) 

• has pale skin, lips, or tongue

• has back or belly pain

• is more tired than usual

Your child:

• has trouble breathing or is breathing very quickly

• faints

• falls asleep and is hard to awaken

What causes G6PD deficiency? G6PD deficiency is inherited. Children who have it are born with it because it was passed down in genes from one or both of their parents. 

What happens if a child with G6PD is exposed to something sensitive? The child's red cells may be destroyed if they're exposed to some foods, medicines, or infections. This is called hemolysis. Hemolysis can cause:

• Anemia: This is when the body has too few red blood cells. A child with anemia may be pale, feel weak and tired, have headaches, or have pain in the belly and back.

• Jaundice: This is when a person's skin or white areas in their eyes turn yellow.

How do health care providers treat G6PD deficiency? Health care providers make sure that kids with G6PD deficiency know which foods, medicines, and chemicals to avoid.

Kids with severe anemia sometimes get IV fluids (fluids given into a vein) or a blood transfusion (blood donated by another person). Or they might take a supplement called folic acid.