National G6PD neonatal screening program in Gaza Strip of Palestine: rationale, challenges and recommendations

Abstract

Congenital genetic disorders affecting neonates or young children can have serious clinical consequences if undiagnosed and left untreated. Early detection and an accurate diagnosis are, therefore, of major importance for preventing negative patient outcomes. Even though the occurrence of each specific metabolic disorder may be rare, their collective impact of preventable complications may be of considerable importance to the public health. Our previous studies showed that G6PD deficiency is a problem of public health importance that has been shown to be a predominant cause of acute hemolytic anemia requiring hospitalization in Palestinian young children in Gaza Strip. Intriguingly, majority of these children had one of the three variants, Mediterranean^c.563T, African G6PD A-^{c.202A/c.376G} and heretofore unrecognized as a common G6PD deficient variant G6PD Cairo^c.404C.

The high prevalence of G6PD deficiency, as well as dietary factors in the region that precipitate anemia, argues for a need to protect the Palestinian children from a treatable and manageable genetic and metabolic disorder. The present work reviews and discusses rationales and challenges of G6PD screening program in Gaza Strip. We advocate adopting a national neonatal G6PD screening program in Gaza Strip to identify children at risk and promote wellness and health for Palestine.

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