Tragic Death of A Kid Due To Beans! - What Is G6PD Deficiency?

Recently there was a case of the tragic death of a child who passed away due to beans. This sudden death happened because of the deficiency of G6PD in the child’s body. Beans? Yes, the child was reported eating FAVA BEANS bought by a family member. However, they were not aware that the child had G6PD deficiency which resulted in death! Photo Credit: Return Legacy So, what is G6PD? Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase is an enzyme that is present in the red blood cells. This is a genetic disorder and a person who has this disorder will have lower red blood cell enzyme! Are beans dangerous? Photo Credit: Adobe Stock Well, not all beans are dangerous. However, as parents, we must be aware of a child’s food intake which could be harmful to them! As a child who has a lack of G6PD, there are few things that should be avoided: Things To Avoid If Your Child Has G6PD Deficiency: Fava Beans Moth Balls Henna (Yes, Henna!) Antimalarial drugs (primaquine, pamaquine, and chloroquine) Aspirin Sulfonamides Nitrofurantoin Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Quinidine Quinine Non-sulfa antibiotics Why should these things be avoided? Well, a breakdown of premature red blood cells which is known as Haemolytic Anaemia can happen and it is very dangerous! Symptoms of Haemolytic Anaemia: Paleness Jaundice Dark urine Fatigue, Shortness of breath Enlarged spleen Rapid heart rate Photo Credit: Med Comic How do I know if my child has G6PD deficiency? In Malaysia, you are able to detect using the method of fluorescent spot test which is done for every newborn baby. If your child has G6PD deficiency, the blood spot does not fluoresce under ultraviolet light using a substance named, NADPH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate). Is there a cure for G6PD deficiency? Well, as we are aware by now that this is passed through genetics. I would suggest for parents to limit exposure that can trigger the symptoms! You need to be cautious of your child’s intake and medicines to avoid any risky circumstances. However, if your child’s condition worsens, you need to take them to the hospital for proper medical care. Watch this educational Youtube video about G6PD! https://www.youtube.com/watch?vVoBysmk6Qiw My advice for parents is to take this matter seriously because it could be deadly. Most importantly, G6PD should not be an excuse for your child to live a healthy and active life! For more information regarding G6PD, you can check out these websites: Myhealth Malaysia Kids Health Article Source: Twitter @amirull18 (Amirul Azhar)

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