glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency n a hereditary metabolic disorder affecting red blood cells that is controlled by a variable gene on the X chromosome, that is characterized by a deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase conferring marked susceptibility to hemolytic anemia which may be chronic, episodic, or induced by certain foods (as broad beans) or drugs (as primaquine), and that occurs esp. in individuals of Mediterranean or African descent
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glu·cose-6-phos·phate de·hy·dro·gen·ase de·fi·cien·cy (glooґkōs fosґfāt de-hiґdro-jən-ās) the most common inborn error of metabolism, an X-linked enzyme deficiency causing varying degrees of hemolytic anemia in many millions of people around the world. It can cause favism, some drug-induced hemolytic anemias, or chronic nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia. The G6PD gene is highly polymorphic, with about 400 variants known.Medical dictionary. 2011.