General Anesthesia in a Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency Child: A Case Report

Abstract

We performed general anesthesia on a 3-year-old boy with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Patients with G6PD deficiency exhibit jaundice and anemia due to hemolysis caused by a lack of the G6PD enzyme. To maintain anesthesia, we used propofol and remifentanil, which may prevent hemolytic attacks by exerting an antioxidant effect. In addition, because the patient was in a high-risk group for the development of methemoglobinemia, we used mepivacaine as a local anesthetic. We liaised with the patient's attending physician to make sufficient arrangements, such as securing an emergency transfer on the day of anesthesia. The patient did not develop hemolytic attacks during or after the procedure, and he progressed well without problems.