Premium Nahrungsergänzungsmittel | artgerecht

D55.0 – Anaemia due to G6PD Deficiency

D55.0 is the ICD-10 code for anaemia due to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, a hereditary condition causing premature destruction of red blood cells.

Regular tips about health Regular tips about health

Things worth knowing about "D55.0"

D55.0 is the ICD-10 code for anaemia due to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, a hereditary condition causing premature destruction of red blood cells.

What is D55.0?

The ICD-10 code D55.0 refers to anaemia due to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. This is an inherited haemolytic anaemia caused by a defect in the enzyme G6PD, which plays a critical role in protecting red blood cells (erythrocytes) from oxidative damage. Without sufficient G6PD activity, red blood cells are prematurely destroyed.

Causes

D55.0 is caused by a deficiency or reduced activity of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. The defect is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern, meaning it predominantly affects males. The condition is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and South and Southeast Asia.

Common triggers for a haemolytic crisis include:

Certain medications (e.g., primaquine, nitrofurantoin, some sulfonamides)
Infectious diseases
Consumption of fava beans – a reaction known as favism
Exposure to oxidative chemicals
Neonatal jaundice as an early manifestation in newborns

Symptoms

Many individuals with G6PD deficiency remain asymptomatic until exposed to a trigger. Acute haemolytic episodes can present with:

Jaundice (icterus) due to elevated bilirubin levels
Pale or yellowish skin and mucous membranes
Dark urine (brown or red) caused by haemoglobin released from destroyed red blood cells
Fatigue, weakness, and dizziness
Shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat
Abdominal or back pain in severe cases

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of D55.0 is established through:

Full blood count: Evidence of anaemia with signs of haemolysis (elevated bilirubin, elevated LDH, reduced haptoglobin)
Blood smear: Detection of characteristic Heinz bodies within red blood cells
G6PD activity assay: Direct measurement of reduced enzyme activity in the blood
Genetic testing: Confirmation of the underlying gene mutation

Treatment

There is currently no curative treatment for G6PD deficiency. Management focuses on preventing and managing haemolytic crises:

Avoiding triggers: Strict avoidance of causative drugs, fava beans, and oxidative substances
Supportive care: Adequate hydration and treatment of underlying infections
Blood transfusions: Required in severe, life-threatening haemolytic episodes
Folic acid supplementation: In chronic haemolytic anaemia to support red blood cell production
Phototherapy: For newborns presenting with G6PD-related jaundice

Patients with known G6PD deficiency are advised to carry a medical alert card listing their diagnosis to prevent administration of incompatible medications in emergency situations.

References

World Health Organization (WHO): Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency. WHO Working Group, Bulletin of the WHO, 1989.
Luzzatto L, Nannelli C, Notaro R: Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency. Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America, 2016.
ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2024. National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), D55.0.

Building Blocks for a Healthy Life

As an integrated manufacturer, we develop & produce evidence-based, patented, and non-patented formulations. We work exclusively with plant and natural extracts according to the strictest purity & quality standards.
The combination of science & modern technology with the laws of nature creates solutions consistently tailored to humans – for the highest good: health.