Classic clinical presentation of G6PD deficiency includes which symptoms?

Classic clinical presentation of G6PD deficiency includes which symptoms?

• A. Jaundice, pallor, and dark urine
• B. Hyperpigmentation and polyuria
• C. Gouty arthritis
• D. Hemarthrosis

Answer: (A)

G6PD deficiency makes red blood cells especially vulnerable to oxidative stress, so when oxidative triggers occur (such as infections, certain foods like fava beans, or drugs like sulfonamides or nitrofurantoin), the red cells undergo hemolysis. The resulting intravascular and extravascular hemolysis leads to anemia, which causes pallor. The breakdown of hemoglobin raises bilirubin, causing jaundice, and hemoglobin released into the blood can darken the urine (hemoglobinuria). That combination—pallor from anemia, jaundice from elevated bilirubin, and dark urine from hemoglobin release—is the classic presentation. Other options don’t fit this pattern because they reflect different processes (hyperpigmentation and polyuria for other conditions, gouty arthritis from urate crystals, or hemarthrosis from bleeding disorders).

G6PD deficiency makes red blood cells especially vulnerable to oxidative stress, so when oxidative triggers occur (such as infections, certain foods like fava beans, or drugs like sulfonamides or nitrofurantoin), the red cells undergo hemolysis. The resulting intravascular and extravascular hemolysis leads to anemia, which causes pallor. The breakdown of hemoglobin raises bilirubin, causing jaundice, and hemoglobin released into the blood can darken the urine (hemoglobinuria). That combination—pallor from anemia, jaundice from elevated bilirubin, and dark urine from hemoglobin release—is the classic presentation.

Other options don’t fit this pattern because they reflect different processes (hyperpigmentation and polyuria for other conditions, gouty arthritis from urate crystals, or hemarthrosis from bleeding disorders).