RESUMEN
Over a 10-year period, 15 glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient male newborns were admitted to Al-Jahra Hospital with acute haemolysis a few days after applying henna dye over the body, which is a unique Bedouin tribal practice to celebrate the arrival of the first-born boy. Laboratory investigations revealed significant anaemia, reticulocytosis and indirect hyperbilirubinaemia among the index newborns as compared with controls (p < 0.001). The mean (SD) haemoglobin concentration in index patients was 113.4 (13.4) g/l vs 171.2 (11.2) g/l in controls, reticulocytic count 13.8% (4.2%) vs 1.4% (0.74%), and indirect bilirubin 382.8 (58.7) mumol/l vs 63.7 (61.4) mumol/l. G6PD-deficient newborns with haemolysis linked to henna application had delayed age at presentation and a higher reticulocytic count and hyperbilirubinaemia compared with non-henna-induced haemolysis (p < 0.05). Percutaneous henna absorption is well recognized and clinical findings support the harmful effect of henna on G6PD-deficient red blood cells. A local health education programme has been established to prevent the use of henna dye in infancy.