Can a newborn have G6PD deficiency (favism) if the parents do not have it?
Oct 12, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xie Zixing
Introduction
Newborns can have favism even if their parents do not have the condition. Favism is usually a recessive genetic disorder inherited through the X chromosome from either parent. If either the father or mother is an asymptomatic carrier of the recessive gene for favism, they may not show symptoms themselves but could pass the recessive gene to their children.
Newborns can have favism even if their parents do not have the condition.
Favism is usually an inherited recessive disorder carried via the X chromosome from either parent. If one parent—father or mother—is a silent carrier of the favism gene, they may not show symptoms themselves but could pass the recessive gene to their child. Therefore, even when neither parent has favism, newborns may still develop the disease.
Favism typically refers to a hemolytic disorder triggered by consuming fava beans or fava bean products, leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, and headaches. This condition can significantly affect overall health. Thus, once diagnosed, individuals should avoid eating fava beans and related products in daily life. Moreover, if a newborn has favism, mothers who are breastfeeding should also avoid consuming fava beans or fava-containing foods, as this could trigger a hemolytic episode in the infant.
