What’s new?

We are very excited to provide you with our updates:

G6PD and COVID-19
Since April 2020, we have learned that approximately 600 clinical trials are a being conducted across the world to assess COVID-19 treatments.
Two seminal questions keep surfacing as G6PDd patients navigate treatments for COVID-19:

1. Are G6PDd patients more adversely affected by SAR-CoV-2 virus?
2. Are G6PDd patients adversely affected by any COVID-19 therapies?

To date, this is the information we’ve gathered in response to these questions:

• Infections are known to cause adverse hemolytic events in those with G6PDd.
• Laboratory research had shown that other corona viruses (I.e., SARS and MERS)
  can more rapidly replicate in G6PD deficient cells.
• It is suspected that hemolytic reactions can occur when G6PDd patients
  who have COVID-19 are treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil.
• Certain antimalarial therapies being used to treat COVID-19, such as Chloroquine
  and Hydroxychloroquine, can trigger a hemolytic reaction in G6PDd patients.
• Methylene Blue, which is used to treat methemoglobinemia in COVID-19 patients,
  is a known hemolytic trigger for G6PDd patients.

You will find information about G6PD and COVID-19 on our website: COVID-19

If you or someone you know has G6PD Deficiency and was treated for COVID-19, please help us gather important information by taking our survey.   COVID-19/ G6PDd SURVEY

We are working with Dr. Beth Kozel, a geneticist from the National Institutes of Health (NIH),
on a survey intended to assess the impact of COVID-19 severity on rare diseases, including
G6PD Deficiency.  We will let you know when this survey will be available!

Even though G6PDd is one of the most common enzyme deficiencies in the world, it is
categorized as a rare disease by NORD (National Organization Rare Diseases). However, it is the Foundation’s position that this condition is not a rare disease, but rather a rarely recognized genetic enzyme disorder. This is why G6PD deficiency awareness is so important.

2. Education for Healthcare Providers
   This past year, the Foundation has continued working on the production of a virtual education seminar to improve awareness of G6PDd in the medical community. Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons will provide the continuing medical education credits for healthcare professionals. This seminar is being reviewed by a board of medical professionals that specialize in kernicterus and G6PDd.
   We anticipate having it available by early 2021.
3. Providing Clarity on ‘What to Avoid’ 
   The Foundation also created a sub-committee to focus upon G6PD deficiency triggers. Utilizing research from reliable sources, the G6PD Deficiency Trigger Committee is continuing to identify and publish a list of foods, chemicals and drugs that patients with G6PDd should avoid. Because there is still much to learn about this condition, the G6PD Deficiency Trigger Committee will also investigate what research still needs to be undertaken to ensure that valid information about G6PDd is being shared with the public . If you have a background in nutrition or healthcare, or you are a G6PDd advocate and are interested in being part of this committee, please contact Markee Harris, PA at mharris@g6pdDF.org
4. October 2019 AAP Conference
   In October 2019, members of the Foundation attended the American Academy of Pediatrics conference.  Discussions with clinicians who practice across the nation and across the world provided great insight into where G6PD screening is routinely performed, and in which locations screening is discretionary.   Many countries and island nations across the globe routinely screen for G6PD in newborns, in large part because the prevalence of the condition in their respective population.  Noting this disparity served to reaffirm the Foundation’s goal to increase awareness of, and testing for this condition in the United States.

5. Informational Handout
   As there is much we already know about this condition, the Foundation constructed an informational handout about G6PD Deficiency. If you, or anyone you know, would like to have a copy of this free informational handout, please contact Regina Munster at mrpmunster@g6pdDF.org.

Collaborations:

COVID-19/G6PDd Task Force
Because of the impact COVID-19 can have on patients who are G6PD deficient, medical professionals and G6PD advocates have recently  joined together to create the COVID-19/G6PDd Task Force.  Through this  collaborative effort, the members of the Task Force intend to gather information about the effects of this virus on G6PD deficient patients, while simultaneously raising awareness of the condition with those providers who have little education about this condition. Read on about this task force on our website:       COVID-19/G6PDd Task Force

                             Got the “D”?

FAST FACT

G6PD deficiency (G6PDd) is one of the most common inherited enzyme deficiencies in the    world. Over 5% of the world’s population is affected. People who are G6PD deficient express  various degrees of impairment of the activity of this important enzyme.
*References can be found on our website