Introduction
Favism, medically known as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, is a genetic enzymatic disorder affecting red blood cells’ ability to withstand oxidative stress. This condition, inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern, primarily impacts males and is especially prevalent in parts of southern China, including Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan, and Guizhou provinces. The disease manifests clinically when affected individuals are exposed to oxidative agents—most notably, the ingestion of fava beans or contact with certain medications and chemicals—leading to red blood cell destruction, known as hemolysis. Understanding favism is crucial as it can cause sudden, sometimes severe, hemolytic anemia that requires timely diagnosis and appropriate management to prevent complications such as kidney failure and cardiovascular compromise.
