What Foods Should Babies with Favism Avoid Eating?

Update Date: 2024-05-16 Source: Network

If a baby is diagnosed with broad bean disease, it is generally caused by genetic factors. The mechanism of broad bean disease is complex. For infants and young children, it is essential to avoid consuming broad beans or any related food products made from them, such as vermicelli and broad bean paste. If a child accidentally ingests broad beans, it can easily lead to hemolytic anemia and other conditions.

Broad bean disease is a type of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, manifesting as hemolytic anemia after eating broad beans. The specific mechanism of hemolysis is unknown. Only a minority of individuals with G6PD deficiency in the same region develop the disease, and not everyone who eats broad beans every year will develop it. Broad bean disease has been found in various regions of China, including Southwest, South, East, and North China, with the highest incidence in Guangdong, Sichuan, Guangxi, Hunan, and Jiangxi provinces. Seventy percent of patients are under 3 years old, and 90% are male. Adult cases are less common, but there are a few instances where individuals develop the disease for the first time in middle age or old age.

Since G6PD deficiency is inherited, more than 40% of cases have a family history. This disease often occurs during the early summer when broad beans are ripe. Most cases are triggered by the consumption of fresh broad beans. The onset of the disease varies depending on the climate in different regions. A diagnosis can be made during the onset season, approximately half a month after eating broad beans, when acute hemolysis occurs and laboratory evidence of G6PD deficiency is present. Contact with broad bean pollen or through breastfeeding can also serve as evidence of exposure to broad beans.

Individuals with a history of "broad bean disease" should avoid eating broad beans and their products (such as vermicelli and broad bean paste) and should also refrain from using medications that may cause hemolysis, such as antimalarial drugs (primaquine, quinine), antipyretics (aminopyrine, phenacetin), furazolidone, and sulfonamide drugs. If clothing is stored with mothballs, it should be exposed to sunlight before wearing as naphthalene can also cause hemolysis.