Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency Induced Haemolysis in Male With Newly Diagnosed Diabetes During Diabetic Ketoacidosis Treatment: A Case Report

Background: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency could be a risk factor for diabetes, as suggested by various epidemiological data, but still a matter of debate. The occurrence of haemolysis during diabetes crises was reported in patients with G6PD deficiency, furthermore the fall in glucose level during the treatment of hyperglycemia is suggested as a possible cause for hemolysis in G6PD deficiency. We reviewed the mechanisms that may link the two diseases. Clinical Case: A 19-year-old male, with G6PD deficiency, presented to the emergency department in our institution with history of generalised weakness, epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting. He gave history of polyuria, polydepsia and weight loss over a period of two weeks. Diagnosis of DM was confirmed by laboratory tests that showed a mild DKA: arterial pH 7.28, HCO3 18 mmol/l, plasma glucose 21 mmol/l, urinary ketones ++, and hemoglobin 16.1 g/dl (12.0–15.0 g/dl). DKA was treated according to DKA guidelines. Ketoacidosis remission was achieved two days after rehydration and treatment with continuous intravenous insulin infusion (0.05–0.1 IU/kg). The patient then started on subcutaneous intensive insulin injection therapy, three times daily before meals and once before bedtime. Fasting and post-prandial blood glucose levels decreased to 7-8mmol/L, and 10 –13 mmol/l respectively. On day 4, the patient developed dizziness while he was taking a bath, On examination he was pale and had icterus, however, the vital signs and systemic examination were normal, blood tests revealed a hemolytic anemia as follows: (normal values): Hemoglobin 9 g/dl (12.0–15.0 g/dl), reticulocytes 8.5% (0.5–1.5%), total bilirubin 82 umol/l (0–20 umol/l), unconjugated bilirubin 58 umol/l (3–15 umol/l), By the 7(th) day, hemoglobin levels had fallen to the lowest value of 8.3, then gradually raised to 10.2 g/dl, 2 weeks later, hemoglobin electrophoresis was normal, Coombs test was negative. G6PD activity was below 300 U/L (reduced activit<600) with two separate measurements. The patient had no bacterial infections and had not ingested haemolytic drugs. Hemolysis ceased spontaneously and hemoglobin increased gradually. Conclusion: G6PD deficiency and diabetes mellitus could aggravate each other, and In patients at risk of G6PD deficiency screening of the enzyme activity should be considered following diabetes decompensation, and in case of G6PD deficiency, it is advisable to correct plasma glucose level gradually to avoid the rapid drop in glucose availability, which may cause hemolysis in these patients.