Favism and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency

Favism and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency When persons with G6PD deficiency eat fava beans, acute hemolytic anemia may develop. It is caused by the generation of free radicals from the metabolism of glucosides in the beans. The free radicals damage red cells, resulting in intravascular and extravascular lysis.