Favism in Childhood *

"Favism" defines an acute hemolytic episode and its sequelae following ingestion of the bean or inhalation of the pollen of Vicia faba (broad bean or fava bean) in an individual probably sensitized by previous contact of a similar nature. The features of this syndrome and its potentially widespread occurrence in this country,t together with an excellent account of its prevalence in Italy, were brought to light in the American literature by Luisada in his review published in 1941.' It is surprising that a total of only six cases of favism in childhood have been reported in the American literature to date. 2, 8' 6' 7 All six cases followed ingestion of the bean rather than inhalation of the pollen. This infrequency, however, may be due to the fact that it is customary in this country to market the bean far away from the areas in which it is grown. In Italy, where the morbidity rate is much greater than in the United States, approximately 40%o of the cases observed followed inhalation of the pollen.' The relatively infrequent opportunity for sensitization by way of pollen inhalation or ingestion of the freshly grown bean could well account in part for the infrequency of favism in this country where they are grown commercially in large fields attended principally by machines. Pazzi Demurtas' has shown that the antigenicity of the pollen is significantly greater than that of the fresh bean. He has also shown that the antigenicity of the fresh bean is significantly reduced by drying or cooking. Once a person has become sensitized, a very small quantity of the bean is probably sufficient to produce a reaction. Symptoms usually become manifest within 24 to 36 hours after the bean has been eaten, although they may appear within a few seconds after inhalation of the pollen.' Luisada has stated that the early symptomatology consists chiefly of malaise, headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting followed by chill, fever, and often lumbar pain.' More specific signs referable