Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory studies of favism [G6PD] in children

ABSTRACT

This study reports the epidemiological analysis, clinical presentation, laboratory findings and progress of fifty children admitted to "Al-Mansur Teaching Children Hospital", "Saddam's Medical City" during the period from 1st. January 1990 - 31st December 1994, with G6PD deficiency and acute hemolytic anemia after fava bean ingestion. No cases of favism were observed in breast fed babies whose mothers had eaten fava beans, or from pollen inhalation. 10% of the patients had a previous similar attack, 18% had a family history of favism. [86%] of the patients were males. The main age group affected was 2-4 years [66%]. 90% of cases were from Urban and 10% were from Rural areas. 76% presented during the fava bean season, the onset of symptoms started within three days after fava bean ingestion in 94%, the mean value of Hb was 6gm/dl, Hct 19.9%, Reticulocyte count 8.2%, Total bilirubin 5.2mg/dl, Indirect bilirubin 4.3mg/dl. All patients received blood transfusion and achieved good progress