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Warning-sign checks

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Get emergency help for:

    • Severe or rapidly worsening shortness of breath
    • Fainting, confusion, chest pain, or extreme weakness
    • Very little urine alongside dark urine or jaundice
    • A baby who is difficult to wake, feeds poorly, arches their body, has unusual crying, or develops worsening jaundice
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Arrange prompt medical advice if you develop new jaundice, dark urine, unusual paleness, or marked tiredness, especially after starting a medicine, eating fava beans, or having an infection.

    Seek assessment even if a previous episode was mild.

    Seek urgent care if the yellow colour is increasing, spreading, or appearing during the first day of life.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    For routine care, discuss an unclear diagnosis, repeat testing, recurrent episodes, pregnancy planning, or medicine safety with an appropriate healthcare professional.

The article also says

A newborn with any jaundice should be assessed according to advice from the maternity or newborn care team.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.