Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation
  • Published:

Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation

Clostridium difficile infection precipitating hemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient preterm twins causing severe neonatal jaundice

Journal of Perinatology volume 28, pages 77–78 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

The incidence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in neonates of immigrant mothers in Canada is increasing. Newborn screening programs in Canada do not screen for this disorder. Infants with G-6-PD deficiency may develop jaundice resulting in kernicterus with devastating sequelae. In this case report, we speculate that Clostridium difficile infection may have triggered severe jaundice in G-6-PD-deficient neonates.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kaplan M, Hammerman C . Glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: a worldwide potential cause of severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Neo Rev 2000; 1: e32–e38.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Kaplan M, Hammerman C . Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient neonates: a potential cause for concern in North America. Pediatrics 2000; 106 (6): 1478–1479.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. AlOtaibi SF, Blaser S, MacGregor DL . Neurological complications of kernicterus. Can J Neurol Sci 2005; 32 (3): 311–315.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Sgro M, Campbell D, Shah V . Incidence and causes of severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Canada. CMAJ 2006; 175 (6): 587–590.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Abdulrazzaq YM, Micallef R, Qureshi M, Dawodu A, Ahmed I, Khidr A et al. Diversity in expression of glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in females. Clin Genet 1999; 55 (1): 13–19.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Kaplan M, Hammerman C . Severe hemolysis and hyperbilirubinemia due to perinatal napthalene exposure. J Perinatol 2005; 25 (5): 359; author reply 360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Miller MA, Hyland M, Ofner-Agostini M, Gourdeau M, Ishak M . Morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden of nosocomial Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in Canadian hospitals. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2002; 23 (3): 137–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Eckel F, Huber W, Weiss W, Lersch C . Recurrent pseudomembranous colitis as a cause of recurrent severe sepsis. Z Gastroenterol 2002; 40 (4): 255–258.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Rampling A, Warren RE, Bevan PC, Hoggarth CE, Swirsky D, Hayhoe FG . Clostridium difficile in haematological malignancy. J Clin Pathol 1985; 38 (4): 445–451.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Abu-Osba YK, Mallouh AA, Hann RW . Incidence and causes of sepsis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient newborn infants. J Pediatr 1989; 114 (5): 748–752.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Krasnopolskaya XD, Shatskaya TL . Distribution of Gd- alleles in some ethnic groups of the USSR. Hum Genet 1987; 75 (3): 258–263.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Support: None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    A Lodha & E Kelly

  2. The Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Foothills Medical Centre and University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    A Lodha, M S Kamaluddeen & H Amin

Authors
  1. A Lodha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M S Kamaluddeen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. E Kelly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. H Amin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A Lodha.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lodha, A., Kamaluddeen, M., Kelly, E. et al. Clostridium difficile infection precipitating hemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient preterm twins causing severe neonatal jaundice. J Perinatol 28, 77–78 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211853

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211853

Keywords

Search

Advanced search

Quick links