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Expert Q&A

	By Melissa Clark Vickers International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Moms & Babies Huntingdon, Tenn.

My baby tested positive for G6PD deficiency. Is it OK to continue nursing my baby?

G6PD, or glucose-6-phosphates deficiency, is a hereditary condition that can be a cause of jaundice in the early weeks.

According to Dr. Jack Newman, physician and breastfeeding expert, in his book Dr. Jack Newman's Guide to Breastfeeding (2000), p. 135:

"Some medical problems may prolong jaundice. One is glucose-6-phosphates deficiency, an enzyme deficiency occurring almost exclusively in boys, which may result in breakdown of the red blood cells when the babies are exposed to certain drugs or toxins. Although this deficiency is common (very common in Asia, Africa and Mediterranean Europe), jaundice hardly ever seems to arise. It is important, though, to know if your baby has the deficiency, if he needs to take certain medications. However, if this is the cause of the jaundice, the mother should not stop breastfeeding."

Hope this helps!
Melissa Vickers, IBCLC

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