Objective:Glucose -6-phosphate deficiency is the most prevalent enzyme deficiency with an estimated 400 million people affected worldwide. It is inherited deficiency that may be the cause of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The incidence of G6PD deficiency varies among different countries and survey report rate of less than 1% to 35%. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of Glucose -6-phosphate deficiency in newborns of Mashhad city, the center of Khorasan Razavi province located in Northeast of Iran.Methods:During the period of April 2006 to November 2006 we performed semi-quantitative red blood cell (RBC) G6PD assays in cord blood of 2570 male and female neonates. Blood sample was collected for each neonate from umbilical cord of placenta into ethylondiamentetracetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulated tubes in delivery room. Samples were tested by the florescent spot method for detect deficient types. Result:Of the 2570 newborns, 1307 (50.85%) were boys and 1263(49.14%) were girls. The incidence of G6PD deficiency was 0.8% in the total study population with confident interval of 0.5%-1%. G6PD deficiency is more common in male than female 1% vs. 0.5% and sex distribution was 30.6% in females and 69.4% in males (p<0.05). Conclusion:In our study prevalence of G6PD deficiency was fewer than other origin that may be related to demographic and geographical location of Mashhad city. Mashhad located in north eastern of Iran and incidence of G6PD in this area is lower.

Keyword:Glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenase Deficiency, newborn, prevalence

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Objective: Selenium is an essential trace element and has a main role in cellular antioxidant defense system. In very preterm babies, low selenium is associated with an increased risk of complications such as chronic neonatal lung disease and retinopathy of prematurity. This study was designed to determine and compare maternal and umbilical cord blood selenium levels in term and preterm infants. Methods: From February 2008 to April 2008, 30 term (gestational age > 37 weeks) and 30 preterm infants (gestational age < 34 weeks) and their mothers were enrolled. Selenium concentrations in umbilical cord and maternal venous blood were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: The mean selenium concentration in term infants was higher than in preterm infants (124.80 ± 13.72 μg/L vs 100.30 ± 11.72 μg/L, P = 0.0001). The mean selenium concentration in mothers of term and preterm infants was not significantly different (117.03 ± 17.15 μg/L vs 110.56 ± 17.49 μg/L, P = 0.15). Cord selenium concentrations were strongly correlated with gestational age and birth weight (r = 0.66, P <0.0001 and r = 0.59, P <0.0001, respectively) when the data of all infants were analyzed together. None of the 60 women had a serum selenium level below the laboratory lower limit of normal (70.0 μg/L). Maternal selenium levels were correlated with cord selenium levels in their infants (r = 0.40, P < 0.001) when data of all newborn infants and mothers were considered together. Conclusions: Mothers have a relatively good selenium status and serum selenium is not a significant predictor of preterm delivery in Isfahan. The cord selenium concentration in term infants is significantly higher than in preterm infants, but the cord selenium concentrations in both groups are in a suggested normal range.

Keyword: Selenium, Umbilical cord blood, Preterm infant, Term infant