Favism

Commonly called favism, hereditary glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common hereditary enzyme-deficiency disease. About 200 million people worldwide are affected. China is a high-prevalence area with a south-high/north-low distribution, prevalence 0.2-44.8%. G6PD deficiency is caused by G6PD gene mutation lowering enzyme activity; RBCs cannot resist oxidative damage and are destroyed, causing hemolytic anemia.

Common Symptoms

Diarrhea; abdominal pain; chills; fatigue; low-grade fever; nausea; black urine; proteinuria

Causes and Pathogenesis

People with RBC G6PD genetic defect develop acute hemolytic anemia (favism) after eating fresh broad beans or contacting broad-bean pollen. Mechanism is not fully clear: sensitive RBCs with G6PD defect cannot provide enough NADPH to maintain reduced glutathione (GSH) antioxidant capacity; on exposure to a broad-bean factor, the RBC membrane is oxidized and hemolysis occurs.

Treatment

Drug therapy, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

Experts say avoiding continuous/large broad-bean intake prevents favism. However, people with hereditary RBC defects, hemorrhoids, dyspepsia, chronic colitis or uremia should avoid broad beans.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Hematology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.