Can neonatal favism be misdiagnosed?
In general, the likelihood of misdiagnosing favism in newborns is low, and misdiagnosis usually does not occur. If a diagnosis is confirmed, it is recommended to seek prompt medical treatment at a hospital. The analysis is as follows:
Favism is a clinical manifestation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in red blood cells. During newborn screening, if favism is suspected, a series of tests will be performed, including blood count, red blood cell morphology examination, and G6PD enzyme activity assay. Among these, the G6PD enzyme activity assay is the key diagnostic indicator, which has high sensitivity and reliability. The diagnostic accuracy for favism has significantly improved, and misdiagnosis is uncommon.
However, during the first few weeks after birth, symptoms of favism may not be obvious, which could make immediate diagnosis difficult for physicians. Parents should closely monitor their newborn's condition and ensure timely nutritional support to promote healthy development.