Fava bean disease is an acute form of intravascular haemolysis induced by the consumption of fava beans or fava bean products in patients with erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency.
G-6-PD deficiency is a genetic disorder that is inherited in an X-linked incomplete dominant pattern and is more common in males than females, especially in children under 10 years of age. Clinical manifestations usually include dizziness, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, haemoglobinuria, etc. The course of the disease is often self-limiting and is prevented by avoiding fava beans or fava bean products, etc. as much as possible.