ABO, Coombs' negative, blood group incompatibility may lead to increased hemolysis and hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency may also lead to these conditions. We therefore determined whether newborns with both entities are at increased risk for hemolysis compared to those with ABO incompatibility alone, by measuring carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), a sensitive method of assessing hemolysis. Consecutively born ABO incompatible, Coombs' negative, G6PD deficient male healthy term newborns were studied. Blood sampled on the 3rd day of life was analyzed for COHb by gas chromatography, corrected for ambient CO (COHbc) and expressed as a percentage of total hemoglobin (tHb). Peak serum total bilirubin (PSTB) was noted. The control group was comprised of randomly selected ABO incompatible, Coombs' negative neonates, normal for G6PD, matched for gestational age, birth weight and sex. Results are expressed as mean± SD. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Conclusion Study and control groups had similar values for COHbc, and therefore similar rates of hemolysis. ABO incompatible, G6PD deficient neonates are not at higher risk for jaundice from increased hemolysis than are ABO incompatible, G6PD normal controls.Table

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