Q: My month old has glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. It was diagnosed when he got severe jaundice (35-billirubin level) at the age of 24 days. What medicines should be avoided in case of this deficiency?

A:G6PD deficiency may result in increased jaundice in newborn period, as your child developed. Other wise they lead a normal life except when exposed to some medications when suddenly the red blood cells may start breaking and the child or individual develops low hemoglobin or anaemia and related problems. So avoid these medications and chemicals- Primaquine, Chloroquine (may be used under surveillance), Sulphanilamide, Sulphapyridine, Sulphadimidine, Sulphacetamide (Albucid), Sulhafurazone (Gantisin), Salcylazosulphapy ridine (Salazopyrin), Dapsone, Sulphoxone, Gluconsulphone sodium (Promin), Septrin, b-naphthol, Stiborphan, Niridazole, Nitrofurantoin, Furazolidone, Nitrofurazone, (Nalidixic acid), Chloramphenicol, P – aminosalicylic acid, Acetulsalicylic acid (Asprin), Acetophenetidin (Phenacetin).
Since your baby developed very high level of jaundice we should monitor his growth, development and hearing over a period of time.