Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Cukurova Province, Turkey.

The prevalence of red cell G6PD deficiency was studied by a fluorescence screening test in 5 different ethnic populations of Cukurova province. Analyses were performed on samples from the parents of each family unit. The frequency of occurrence in the population was calculated using family trees. 4 551 subjects representing 17 225 offspring from 18 villages were screened and a high incidence of G6PD deficiency was found in the Arabic speaking ethnic groups from Adana (10.4%) and Anthiochus regions (8.1%), whereas the deficiency was only 3.1% in Armenians, 0.8% in mixed villages and 0.5% in Turcomans. This study reveals that the high frequency of this deficiency found in some ethnic populations must be taken into account prior to the treatment of malaria with primaquine.