Fava bean ingestion triggers acute haemolytic anaemia (favism) in people with G6PD deficiency, which is the most common human enzyme defect and is frequent around the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Egypt.
Original statement
No Arabic original wording available.
Translation
Fava bean ingestion triggers acute haemolytic anaemia (favism) in people with G6PD deficiency, which is the most common human enzyme defect and is frequent around the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Egypt.
Origin
- Source status
- Archive editors
- Attribution
- Archive editors
- Origin
- https://eltayebat.com/rule/legumes/
- Attribution uncertainty
- Archive editorial text and study selection written by the archive operators, not necessarily by Elawady.
- Claimed mechanism
G6PD deficiency limits NADPH production in red cells; fava-bean compounds cause oxidative damage.
- Claimed health effect
Acute haemolysis, sometimes severe and requiring transfusion.
- Population concerned
People with G6PD deficiency (mostly males, X-linked)
- Geographic restriction by Elawady
Elawady links favism to the Mediterranean (Greece, Italy, Egypt, North Africa).
Diverging source versions
عشان انت عارف حاجه اسمها انيميا الفول وانيميا البحر المتوسط اسمع دي انت حافظها جي 6 بي ديفيشنسي معروف في العالم كله
- Source status
- Video transcript (own words)
- Attribution
- Elawady (machine transcript)
- Video
- Dr.D Clinics - Diaa Al Awady is live! تبادل الغازات (Open source)
- Published
- 7 May 2025
- Timestamp
- 0:43:40 (location in the original video’s automatic YouTube caption track; confirms where the words occur, not who speaks)
- Attribution uncertainty
- Archive transcript (YouTube captions or AI-generated); wording may contain transcription errors; no timestamps available.
Scientific assessment
True – The statement is supported by robust evidence.
Certainty of evidence: high – Further research is very unlikely to change the assessment.
1. What was claimed?
Fava beans cause haemolysis in G6PD-deficient people; G6PD deficiency is common and frequent in Egypt.
2. What is demonstrably correct?
This is correct. G6PD deficiency affects about 400-500 million people worldwide; fava bean ingestion is a classic trigger of acute haemolytic anaemia. In a Tanta University series of 1,000 Egyptian children with G6PD-deficiency haemolysis, diet was the precipitant in 83.4%, fava beans in 32.6% and falafel in 19.4%.
3. What is wrong or exaggerated?
Nothing in the core statement is wrong. The problem lies in the derivation (see C-LEG-04).
4. What remains unclear?
Exact national prevalence in Egypt is unknown. Newborn screening in Menoufia found 4.3% deficient (6.2% of boys; I-LEG-102); a study of Egyptian men in Kuwait found 1.0% (I-LEG-104); Arab-country studies range from 2% to 31% (I-LEG-101).
5. Which studies support it?
Cappellini & Fiorelli 2008; Luzzatto & Arese 2018; Luzzatto et al. 2020; Hagag 2018; Hussein 1992; Abo El Fotoh 2016; Nkhoma 2009.
6. Which studies contradict it?
None.
7. What applies to Germany and Europe?
Relevant for people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, African or Asian origin living in Germany; screening of newborns for G6PD deficiency is not part of the routine German newborn screening (not verified in this review).
8. What is known about Egypt?
Highly relevant in Egypt: G6PD deficiency caused 53.1% of acute haemolytic crises in a Cairo paediatric emergency department (I-LEG-103), and Egyptian authors note the absence of a national G6PD screening programme. Egyptian authors recommend neonatal screening.
9. What practical conclusion is appropriate?
People with known G6PD deficiency must avoid fava beans (and certain drugs). A blood test can identify the deficiency.
Assessment details
- Rationale for certainty of evidence
Favism is a well-established clinical entity described in authoritative reviews (Lancet 2008, NEJM 2018, Blood 2020) and in large Egyptian clinical series.
- Source quality
Peer-reviewed reviews and Egyptian clinical studies; the archive cites the reviews correctly.
- Regional transferability
G6PD deficiency is much more frequent in Egypt than in Germany. Egyptian studies report 5.9% deficiency in 1,315 males from two oases and 8.9% among 202 jaundiced neonates (a selected group). For Germany we did not verify a prevalence study; the deficiency is generally considered rare in the native population but occurs in people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, African or Asian origin.
- Individual exceptions
Only G6PD-deficient individuals are at risk; heterozygous females can be affected; people with normal G6PD activity are not at risk of favism.
- Regional scope of the claim
- not specified
- Last reviewed
- 26 October 2026 provisional
Scientific evidence in detail
Scientifically well supported – The claim agrees with consistent, high-quality evidence.
Research question: In people with G6PD deficiency, does fava bean ingestion trigger acute haemolytic anaemia, and how common is G6PD deficiency in Egypt and the Arab region?
Research question in detail (PECO)
- Population
- People with G6PD deficiency (especially children); populations of Egypt and the Arab region
- Intervention or exposure
- Fava bean ingestion
- Comparison
- No fava beans; G6PD-normal people
- Geographic scope
- universal biology; prevalence Egypt/Arab-region-specific
- Outcomes
- Acute haemolytic anaemia (favism), severity
- Prevalence of G6PD deficiency
Study results as reported by the authors. Our assessment follows below.
What speaks for the claim?
G6PD deficiency in Egyptian newborns
Elella SA et al.. Ann Saudi Med 2017 · PMID 28988250 · DOI 10.5144/0256-4947.2017.362 Cross-sectional studyfull text checkednewly addedNewborn screening in Menoufia, Egypt.
- Actual result
- 119/2,782 deficient (4.3%); boys 6.2%, girls 2.1%.
- Methodological quality
- moderate (enzyme assay, one governorate)
- Relevance
- direct
- Limitations
- Not national.
Fava-bean versus other triggers in children with G6PD deficiency
Prashanth GP et al.. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2025 · PMID 39956941 · DOI 10.1002/pbc.31609 Cohort studyabstract checkednewly addedIn Omani children, fava beans caused about half of haemolytic episodes, which were more severe.
- Actual result
- 51.6% fava-induced; Hb 4.8 vs 6.7 g/dL.
- Methodological quality
- moderate
- Relevance
- direct
- Limitations
- Single centre.
G6PD deficiency review (Blood 2020)
Luzzatto L et al.. Blood 2020 · PMID 32702756 · DOI 10.1182/blood.2019000944 Narrative reviewabstract checkedHaematology review: fava beans, certain drugs and infection trigger haemolysis; ~500 million affected.
- Actual result
- As recorded for I-LEG-08.
- Methodological quality
- high (authoritative review)
- Relevance
- direct
- Limitations
- Narrative.
What speaks against the claim?
G6PD deficiency in six Middle Eastern groups in Kuwait
Usanga EA, Ameen R. Hum Hered 2000 · PMID 10686492 · DOI 10.1159/000022906 Cross-sectional studyabstract checkednewly addedLower estimate among Egyptian men in Kuwait.
- Actual result
- 1.00% deficient.
- Methodological quality
- low (migrant sample)
- Relevance
- indirect
- Limitations
- Not representative.
What does the overall evidence say?
Editorial assessment based on the studies above – not itself a study result.
Which position is better supported?
Favism is real, can be severe in children, and G6PD deficiency is common in Egypt and the Arab region (about 6% of newborn boys in one Egyptian governorate; 2-31% across Arab studies).
Why some studies weigh more
Consistent clinical series, enzyme-based screening and authoritative reviews.
Is a causal relationship established? Yes, established Mechanism (vicine/convicine, NADPH deficiency) and clinical evidence are consistent.
Remaining uncertainty
National Egyptian prevalence.
Justified conclusion
The statement is correct; it supports targeted avoidance by G6PD-deficient people, not a general ban.
Why do studies seem to disagree?
Prevalence estimates differ by sample (jaundiced neonates vs general newborns vs migrant adults) and method; they do not conflict on the core fact.
Does this depend on the country?
- General biological effects
- Universal mechanism.
- Eating habits
- Fava beans (ful, falafel/taameya) are staples in Egypt; high exposure.
- Origin of the food
- Fresh/raw beans more potent.
- Contaminants
- Not applicable.
- National production conditions
- Not applicable.
- Legal rules
- No routine national G6PD newborn screening in Egypt per Egyptian authors (I-LEG-103).
- Actual monitoring data
- Regional screening studies (I-LEG-102, I-LEG-06).
A regional difference is supported by robust data.
Statistical re-check
- Recalculated prevalence and Wilson CIs; denominator consistency – 4.28% (3.59-5.09); boys 6.26% (5.13-7.63); minor female-denominator inconsistency (1,329 vs 1,339). recalculated
Certainty of the overall evidence (GRADE, simplified)
- Main outcome
- Acute haemolysis after fava beans in G6PD deficiency
- Starting level
- low (observational studies)
- Reasons for upgrading
- large effect
- dose-response (amount, rawness)
- consistent mechanism
- Result
- high
Simplified assessment by a single reviewer, following the GRADE approach; not a formal GRADE panel. GRADE rates the body of evidence for one outcome, not individual studies.
Clinical guidelines and official statements checked
- WHO: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. WHO Working Group (Bull World Health Organ 1989, PMID 2633878) (1989) · Original publication
G6PD deficiency is the commonest enzyme disorder; it can cause life-threatening haemolytic crises by interaction with specific drugs and fava beans; complications are largely preventable by education and information. (Abstract only.) - CPIC: Expanded CPIC Guideline for Medication Use in the Context of G6PD Genotype (I-LEG-107) (2023) · Original publication
High-risk drugs to avoid (e.g. dapsone, primaquine at standard doses, rasburicase, methylene blue); nitrofurantoin medium risk; aspirin <=1 g/day, sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin low-to-no risk; no peer-reviewed evidence confirmed for foods other than fava beans; favism can be fatal, mostly in children. - NHS (King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust): G6PD deficiency: information for parents, PL296.2 (I-LEG-110) (2022) · Original publication
Fava/broad beans are the only food that commonly causes attacks; runner beans and baked beans are safe; named drugs to avoid include dapsone, nitrofurantoin, sulphonamides, quinolones, nalidixic acid, primaquine, rasburicase, methylene blue; seek GP/A&E care for pallor, jaundice, dark urine. Hospital leaflet, not a national guideline; review date August 2025 has passed.
Search strategy
Documented literature searches for this review (search strings in the original database syntax).
| Database | Date | Search | Looking for | Hits | Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe PMC | 26 October 2026 | ("G6PD deficiency" OR "glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency") AND (Egypt OR Egyptian) AND (prevalence OR screening) | supporting evidence | 466 | |
| Europe PMC | 26 October 2026 | ("G6PD deficiency" OR "glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency" OR favism) AND (Egypt OR Egyptian) | supporting evidence | 621 | |
| PubMed | 26 October 2026 | (glucosephosphate dehydrogenase deficiency[MeSH] OR favism[MeSH] OR G6PD[tiab]) AND (Egypt[MeSH] OR Egypt*[tiab]) | supporting evidence | 44 | |
| Europe PMC | 26 October 2026 | ("G6PD deficiency" OR "glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency") AND (Arab OR "Saudi Arabia" OR "Middle East" OR Gulf OR Oman OR Iraq OR Jordan OR Palestin*) AND (prevalence OR "systematic review" OR "meta-analysis") | supporting evidence | 1337 | |
| PubMed | 26 October 2026 | (G6PD[tiab] OR glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase[tiab]) AND (Arab*[tiab] OR Middle East[tiab] OR Saudi[tiab] OR Gulf[tiab]) AND (systematic review[pt] OR meta-analysis[pt] OR systematic review[tiab]) | supporting evidence | 4 | |
| Europe PMC | 26 October 2026 | favism AND (children OR pediatric) AND (Egypt OR Saudi OR Iraq OR Gaza OR Palestin* OR Jordan OR Arab OR Bahrain OR Kuwait OR Oman OR Lebanon OR Syria) | supporting evidence | 145 | |
| PubMed | 26 October 2026 | favism[MeSH] AND (child[MeSH] OR children[tiab]) AND (fava[tiab] OR faba[tiab] OR broad bean*[tiab]) | supporting evidence | 34 | |
| Europe PMC | 26 October 2026 | favism AND ("acute kidney injury" OR death OR fatal OR transfusion OR hemoglobinuria) | supporting evidence | 596 | |
| Europe PMC | 26 October 2026 | ("G6PD deficiency" OR "glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency") AND prevalence AND (map OR global OR "meta-analysis") | supporting evidence | 2865 | |
| Europe PMC | 26 October 2026 | (G6PD OR "glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase") AND (guideline OR recommendations OR consensus) AND (management OR testing OR screening) | guidelines | 7437 | |
| Web (WebSearch/WebFetch) | 26 October 2026 | NHS G6PD deficiency broad beans medicines to avoid | guidelines |
Open questions
National Egyptian prevalence survey.
How deeply was this checked?
12 linked studies: 2 checked in full text (0 of them with a structured risk-of-bias assessment), 10 on the basis of the abstract, 0 bibliographically only. No formal assessment with two independent reviewers and no independent human expert review has taken place yet.
Last scientific review: 26 October 2026
History of the verdict
In plain language
This part of the archive's argument is correct. Some people inherit a deficiency of the enzyme G6PD. If they eat fava beans, their red blood cells can break down suddenly, which can be dangerous, especially for children. The deficiency is relatively common in Egypt and the Mediterranean region and much rarer in people of German origin. A simple blood test shows whether someone is affected.
Studies on this claim
Studies supporting the claim (11)
-
NEJM review on favism
Luzzatto L, Arese P. N Engl J Med 2018 · PMID 29298156 · DOI 10.1056/nejmra1708111Narrative reviewcited by the Tayebat archiveabstract checkedAuthoritative review of favism; no abstract available to us.
Does the study support the specific claim? Partly · Methodological quality: moderate · Certainty of evidence: see overall assessment of the claim
Original publication · Scientific details
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Review favism
- How was the study done?
Narrative review
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
Not applicable
- What was actually found?
Not verified
- How large was the observed effect?
Not applicable
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Favism is a recognised condition.
- What are the study's limitations?
Content not read.
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports favism existence only.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
High
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Cannot justify avoidance for non-deficient people.
-
Lancet review on G6PD deficiency
Cappellini MD, Fiorelli G. Lancet 2008 · PMID 18177777 · DOI 10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60073-2Narrative reviewcited by the Tayebat archiveabstract checked★ key studyG6PD deficiency affects over 400 million people; haemolysis is triggered by external agents and is prevented by avoiding them.
Does the study support the specific claim? Partly · Methodological quality: moderate · Certainty of evidence: see overall assessment of the claim
Original publication · Scientific details
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Summarise G6PD deficiency
- How was the study done?
Narrative review
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
Not applicable
- What was actually found?
400+ million affected; haemolysis triggered by exogenous agents
- How large was the observed effect?
Not applicable
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
People with the deficiency must avoid triggers such as fava beans.
- What are the study's limitations?
Not systematic
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports favism, not avoidance of legumes by everyone
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
High
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Cannot show risk for people with normal G6PD.
-
G6PD deficiency review (Blood 2020)
Luzzatto L et al.. Blood 2020 · PMID 32702756 · DOI 10.1182/blood.2019000944Narrative reviewindependent cross-checkabstract checked★ key studyAbout 500 million people carry G6PD deficiency; fava beans, some drugs and infections trigger haemolysis.
Does the study support the specific claim? Partly · Methodological quality: moderate · Certainty of evidence: see overall assessment of the claim
Original publication · Scientific details
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Review G6PD
- How was the study done?
Narrative review
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
Not applicable
- What was actually found?
Fava ingestion trigger
- How large was the observed effect?
Not applicable
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Targeted fava avoidance.
- What are the study's limitations?
Narrative
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports favism; names fava specifically
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
High
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Cannot support avoidance for non-deficient people.
-
Favism in Egyptian children
Hagag AA et al.. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2018 · PMID 28982343 · DOI 10.2174/1871530317666171003160350Case series / case reportindependent cross-checkabstract checked★ key studyIn 1,000 Egyptian children with G6PD deficiency, haemolysis was most often triggered by fava beans and falafel.
Does the study support the specific claim? Partly · Methodological quality: low · Certainty of evidence: see overall assessment of the claim
Original publication · Scientific details
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Describe Egyptian G6PD patients
- How was the study done?
Retrospective series
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
1,000 children
- What was actually found?
Diet main trigger, especially fava
- How large was the observed effect?
32.6% fava, 19.4% falafel
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Fava avoidance matters for G6PD-deficient children in Egypt.
- What are the study's limitations?
History-based
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports favism; weak for lentils
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
High (Egypt)
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Cannot show legumes harm G6PD-normal people.
-
G6PD deficiency in jaundiced Egyptian newborns
Abo El Fotoh WM et al.. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2016 · PMID 26866975 · DOI 10.3109/14767058.2016.1148133Cross-sectional studyindependent cross-checkabstract checkedAbout 9% of jaundiced newborns had G6PD deficiency.
Does the study support the specific claim? Partly · Methodological quality: low · Certainty of evidence: see overall assessment of the claim
Original publication · Scientific details
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Frequency in jaundiced neonates
- How was the study done?
Cross-sectional
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
202
- What was actually found?
8.9% deficient
- How large was the observed effect?
Not applicable
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Relevant for Egypt.
- What are the study's limitations?
Selected sample
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Context only
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
High (Egypt)
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Cannot give general prevalence.
-
G6PD deficiency in Egyptian oases
Hussein L et al.. Biochem Genet 1992 · PMID 1590743 · DOI 10.1007/BF02399702Cross-sectional studyindependent cross-checkabstract checked5.9% of 1,315 men screened in two oases had G6PD deficiency.
Does the study support the specific claim? Partly · Methodological quality: low · Certainty of evidence: see overall assessment of the claim
Original publication · Scientific details
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Screen oases
- How was the study done?
Population screening
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
1,315 males
- What was actually found?
5.9%
- How large was the observed effect?
Not applicable
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Deficiency is common in parts of Egypt.
- What are the study's limitations?
Regional, old
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Context
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Moderate
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Cannot represent all Egypt.
-
Global G6PD prevalence
Nkhoma ET et al.. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2009 · PMID 19233695 · DOI 10.1016/j.bcmd.2008.12.005Meta-analysisindependent cross-checkabstract checkedAbout 400 million people have G6PD deficiency worldwide; highest in sub-Saharan Africa.
Does the study support the specific claim? Partly · Methodological quality: moderate · Certainty of evidence: see overall assessment of the claim
Original publication · Scientific details
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Global prevalence
- How was the study done?
Meta-analysis
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
280 estimates
- What was actually found?
400 million
- How large was the observed effect?
Not applicable
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Common worldwide.
- What are the study's limitations?
Heterogeneous
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Context
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
High
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Abstract gives no Egypt/Germany figures.
-
How common is G6PD deficiency in Arab countries?
Alangari AS et al.. J Clin Med 2023 · PMID 37892786 · DOI 10.3390/jcm12206648Systematic reviewindependent cross-checkfull text checked★ key studyAcross 23 studies from Arab countries, 2% to 31% of the people tested had G6PD deficiency, more often males.
Regional prevalence 2-31% depending on population.
Does the study support the specific claim? Yes · Methodological quality: moderate · Certainty of evidence: see overall assessment of the claim
Original publication · Scientific details
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Summarise G6PD deficiency prevalence in Arab countries.
- How was the study done?
Systematic literature review, no pooling.
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
23 studies, 2000-2022, five from Egypt.
- What was actually found?
Prevalence 2-31%, higher in males and high-risk groups.
- How large was the observed effect?
Range only; no pooled estimate.
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
The enzyme defect behind favism is common in the region, so fava-bean haemolysis is a real local risk.
- What are the study's limitations?
Hospital-based samples; English only; no meta-analysis.
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports the frequency part of C-LEG-03.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Relevant to migrants from the region.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
It cannot give one national prevalence for Egypt.
-
G6PD deficiency in Egyptian newborns
Elella SA et al.. Ann Saudi Med 2017 · PMID 28988250 · DOI 10.5144/0256-4947.2017.362Cross-sectional studyindependent cross-checkfull text checked★ key studyIn 2,782 newborns from Menoufia, 4.3% were G6PD-deficient, including 6.2% of boys.
4.3% of newborns, 6.2% of boys, Menoufia.
Does the study support the specific claim? Yes · Methodological quality: moderate · Certainty of evidence: see overall assessment of the claim
Original publication · Scientific details
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Measure G6PD deficiency in newborns.
- How was the study done?
Enzyme test of dried blood spots.
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
2,782 newborns born in 2015.
- What was actually found?
119 deficient (4.3%).
- How large was the observed effect?
Boys 6.2%, girls 2.1%.
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Roughly one boy in 16 in this region carries the deficiency that makes fava beans dangerous.
- What are the study's limitations?
One governorate; cut-off choices.
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Confirms that favism risk is relevant in Egypt.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Low relevance for native Europeans.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
It does not show national prevalence or how many affected children develop haemolysis.
-
Haemolytic crises in Egyptian children
Badr MSEM et al.. Pediatr Emerg Care 2020 · PMID 32108744 · DOI 10.1097/PEC.0000000000002053Cross-sectional studyindependent cross-checkabstract checkedOver half of children with sudden red-cell breakdown in a Cairo emergency department had G6PD deficiency.
G6PD deficiency 53.1% of paediatric haemolytic crises.
Does the study support the specific claim? Yes · Methodological quality: low · Certainty of evidence: see overall assessment of the claim
Original publication · Scientific details
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Describe causes of haemolytic crises.
- How was the study done?
Prospective ED survey.
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
143 children.
- What was actually found?
53.1% G6PD deficiency.
- How large was the observed effect?
76/143.
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
G6PD-related haemolysis is a frequent paediatric emergency in Egypt.
- What are the study's limitations?
One centre; triggers not detailed.
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports the relevance of C-LEG-03 for children.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Egypt-specific.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
It does not quantify fava as the trigger.
-
Fava-bean versus other triggers in children with G6PD deficiency
Prashanth GP et al.. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2025 · PMID 39956941 · DOI 10.1002/pbc.31609Cohort studyindependent cross-checkabstract checked★ key studyIn Oman, about half of children's haemolytic crises followed fava beans, and these were more severe.
Fava beans caused 51.6% of paediatric haemolytic episodes, with lower haemoglobin.
Does the study support the specific claim? Yes · Methodological quality: moderate · Certainty of evidence: see overall assessment of the claim
Original publication · Scientific details
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Compare fava-triggered and other haemolytic episodes.
- How was the study done?
Hospital cohort.
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
236 episodes in children.
- What was actually found?
Fava episodes more severe.
- How large was the observed effect?
Haemoglobin 4.8 vs 6.7 g/dL.
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
For children with G6PD deficiency, fava beans can cause dangerous anaemia.
- What are the study's limitations?
One hospital; history-based triggers.
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports C-LEG-03 and the safety note.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Relevant to migrant families.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
It does not show risk for children without G6PD deficiency.
No study in this group is marked as key.
Studies contradicting or limiting the claim (0)
No studies in this group.
Studies with mixed or unclear results (1)
-
G6PD deficiency in six Middle Eastern groups in Kuwait
Usanga EA, Ameen R. Hum Hered 2000 · PMID 10686492 · DOI 10.1159/000022906Cross-sectional studyindependent cross-checkabstract checkedAmong men tested in Kuwait, 1.0% of Egyptians and 11.6% of Iranians were deficient.
Only 1.0% deficiency among Egyptian men in Kuwait.
Does the study support the specific claim? Partly · Methodological quality: low · Certainty of evidence: see overall assessment of the claim
Original publication · Scientific details
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Compare G6PD deficiency across origins.
- How was the study done?
Enzyme survey.
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
3,501 men.
- What was actually found?
1.00% (Egyptians) to 11.55% (Iranians).
- How large was the observed effect?
Range only.
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Frequency differs between populations and samples.
- What are the study's limitations?
Migrant sample; abstract only.
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Adds nuance to C-LEG-03.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Limited.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
It cannot give the prevalence in Egypt itself.
No study in this group is marked as key.
Regional context
Germany / EU
Relevant for people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, African or Asian origin living in Germany; screening of newborns for G6PD deficiency is not part of the routine German newborn screening (not verified in this review).
Egypt
Highly relevant in Egypt: G6PD deficiency caused 53.1% of acute haemolytic crises in a Cairo paediatric emergency department (I-LEG-103), and Egyptian authors note the absence of a national G6PD screening programme. Egyptian authors recommend neonatal screening.
What applies in my country?
General scientific assessment
True Favism is real and relevant in Egypt, but it affects only people with G6PD deficiency.
The following areas of food safety are relevant to this statement:
- Pesticides and pesticide residues
- Contaminants (heavy metals, PFAS, PCBs, dioxins, nitrate)
- Mycotoxins (mould toxins)
Legumes and nuts
Choose a country to see the checked information for it.
Limits: legal rules describe what is allowed, not what every single food contains. Measurement data come from samples and are meaningful only together with their method details.
Country of residence or purchase Compare with another country
References
- Favism and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency.. Luzzatto L, Arese P. N Engl J Med 2018 · PMID 29298156 · DOI 10.1056/nejmra1708111
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.. Cappellini MD, Fiorelli G. Lancet 2008 · PMID 18177777 · DOI 10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60073-2
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