Favism Clinical Experience in Al-Elwia Pediatric Teaching Hospital in Iraq

Muthanna Falah Athab, Anwer Sabeeh Al-Zubaidy, Hayder H Al-Momen

Abstract: The glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) gene is an X-linked disease, and its deficiency is common throughout the world. Acute hemolytic anemia is the main feature, usually during infection, after treatment with certain drugs, and after eating fava beans. A target of studying favism clinically in a sample of Iraqi patients was performed, including (but not limited to) the commonest involved age, gender, and a presumable disease-triggering discrimination between raw and cooked fava beans. All cases with suggestive symptoms and signs of acute hemolysis following exposure to fava beans, were studied retrospectively, resulted in 123 patients enrolled, 101 males and 22 females. The most common age on presentation was between 2-3 years (21.95 %), row fava beans were about double than that of cooked ones as the most popular risk factor even in small amounts (66.7 % versus 33.3 %). In a conclusion, male toddlers 5 years` age had the highest chance of hemolysis due to G6PD deficiency, which was induced by fava beans ingestion, only a small amount of raw beans could be enough, while larger deal was required if these fava beans were cooked.

Keywords: favism, hemolysis, and fava beans row or cooked