In 75 infants deliberately selected as G6PD deficient, intermediate or normal (25 each), the quantitative STANDARD G6PD test agreed closely with spectrophotometry and supported capillary testing through the first week using cord-blood thresholds. Enzyme activity declined at one and four months, and intermediate female infants may require age-specific interpretation.
Key findings
- The point-of-care test remained reliable through week one using cord-derived thresholds, with excellent agreement against spectrophotometry at all sampled time points. Within-person activity decreased at one and four months, potentially altering classification of intermediate female infants.
Why this matters globally
G6PD deficiency is common in many regions and contributes to severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia risk. Reliable rapid testing could support primary care and remote settings.
Thai researcher contribution
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit and Mahidol University researchers evaluated the test in a border-clinic context where laboratory access is constrained.
Limitations to consider
The status-enriched sample is unsuitable for prevalence or population screening-performance estimates. It was one setting with locally derived thresholds, and clinical outcomes such as severe jaundice, disability or mortality were not evaluated.