How
do I get G6PD Deficiency?
G6PD Deficiency is an inherited condition; therefore, you can not get it from
being in contact with someone who has G6PD Deficiency. Since it is inherited,
there is no cure.
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What
are the chances of passing it on to my kids?
A) If the father is unaffected (healthy) and the mother is a carrier (no clinical symptoms):
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One daughter out of two will be a carrier
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One son out of two will be G6PD deficient
B) If the father is G6PD deficient and the mother is unaffected:
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All daughters will be carriers
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All sons will be unaffected
C) If the father is G6PD deficient and the mother is a carrier:
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One daughter out of two will be G6PD deficient
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One daughter out of two will be a carrier
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One son out of two will be G6PD deficient
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One son out of two will be unaffected
D) If the father is unaffected and the mother is G6PD deficient:
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All daughters will be carriers
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All sons will be G6PD deficient
E) If both father and mother are G6PD deficient:
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All daughters will be G6PD deficient
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All sons will be G6PD deficient
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What
precautions can I take to ensure my health living with G6PD Deficiency?
Do not take any of the medications listed in this brochure (or medications similar
to them) without consulting a physician. Also avoid fava beans (and the plant).
Always tell any health provider you see that you have G6PD Deficiency (and give
them this list).
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What
are the symptoms of hemolytic anemia? Am I having a reaction?
You will begin to feel tired, short of breath, have an irregular heart beat,
and may have a dark orange urine.
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Can
I donate blood if I have G6PD Deficiency?
No! Currently the Red Cross does not accept G6PD deficient blood.
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How
would you call fava beans in other languages?
Arabic: Foolle;
Catalan: Fava;
Chinese: Tzan-Doo;
Dutch: Tuinboon;
English: Fava or Broad Bean;
Farsi (Persian): Ba-ghe-Leh;
French: Fčve;
German: Favabohnen (Fava bean), Dicke Bohnen (thick bean), Saubohnen (sow bean);
Greek: Koukia (“Fava” is an appetizer made from dried fava beans);
Hebrew: Polle;
Hungarian: Lóbab
Italian: Fava (pl. fave);
Kurdish: Paqla;
Malay: Kacang Parang;
Spanish: Haba;
Turkish: Bakla (“Fava” is an appetizer made from dried fava beans);
Urdo (Pakistan and India): Lobhiya, Rajma, Jheam;
Thai (Thailand): two-ah pak-ah.
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I've
been eating all kinds of legumes all my life and am feeling fine. Why do you
say I should avoid them?
There are more than 400 mutations of the deficiency, each responding differently
to certain foods and drugs. Some are more sensitive, others are less so. Besides
fava beans, other elements may be harmful to you. Just be aware of this risk.
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How
can I test the level of my enzyme deficiency?
It is a simple blood test. Inquire with your physician.
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For a more thorough
discourse, go to our
home page
.
[ Originally drafted
by
Ramez Ethnasios
; updated and published by Associazione Italiana Favismo - Deficit di G6PD ]
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Dr. Ernest Beutler, who first identified the G6PD enzyme deficiency in 1953, the man who was most instrumental in establishing this Web site back in 1996, a giant among scientists and a most generous, gracious person, passed away on October 5.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - G6PD DEFICIENCY ASSOCIATION
