N and G6PD

On June 3, we had to go to the National Institutes of Health because N needed to have blood drawn for her G6PD confirmatory test.  Her newborn screen test didn't include this test so she needed to have it done because her pedia said that G6PD deficiency was very common among Filipinos.  Since the screening tests were not suggested until about 4 years ago, according to my pedia, a lot of Filipinos are walking around not knowing that they are G6PD deficient.  I myself didn't know about this deficiency until N's pedia informed me about it.  

According to the G6PD Association, this deficiency is "is a hereditary abnormality in the activity of an erythrocyte (red blood cell) enzyme. This enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), is essential for assuring a normal life span for red blood cells, and for oxidizing processes. This enzyme deficiency may provoke the sudden destruction of red blood cells and lead to hemolytic anemia with jaundice following the intake of fava beans, certain legumes and various drugs."

That was too scientific for me so I turned to Kid's Health for a more plausible definition: "G6PD is one of many enzymes that help the body process carbohydrates and turn them into energy. G6PD also protects red blood cells from potentially harmful byproducts that can accumulate when a person takes certain medications or when the body is fighting an infection."

So why is this worrisome? Apparently, among the harmful substances for G6PD deficient kids is napthalene - which is found in mothballs and fava beans (white beans).  These are common enough items that people can easily get in contact with.   Our pedia recommended a confirmatory test for N because of her prolonged jaundice.  At 2 weeks, she was still jaundiced which led to her being hospitalized for bililight treatment.  For a detailed enumeration of harmful substances to G6PD deficient persons, check here. 

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At the National Institutes of Health, there were tons of babies being tested.  Most of them were newborns with a few exceptions like N.  The charge for the test was 750php.  We arrived at around 1030am and were already No. 85.  Some more people came after us.. so it was an easy 75K for half a day's exam - and that's only for the G6PD test.  

I was irritated at people commenting on how fat N was.  There was even one mom who asked me "is she overweight?" what the !#$^@%&?!  How can N be overweight when she directly feeds and I don't stuff a bottle in her mouth?! She's the one who stops feeding when she's full and I don't force myself on her.  I guess it is part of our culture to "paki-alam" other people's babies.  But I think it's not polite to do so..

Anyway, we will get the results on June 11.  N's next pedia appointment is on June 13. Hopefully, she won't be deficient.