In glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency (favism), exposure to oxidant agents can trigger hemolytic crises. The intravenous administration of very high doses vitamin C was proposed as a treatment for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Unlike low doses, (>6 gr daily) promote H2O2 formation, oxidation hemoglobin methemoglobin and, eventually, anemia in patients with f...

Sir, I read with considerable interest the paper by the late Salman Taj Eldin, on 'Favism in breast-fed infants' which appeared in your issue of February 1971 (p. 121), and I feel that the following data will give additional information on certain points which are stated in this report, and are yet unclarified. In countries with a high incidence of both G6PD deficiency and favism, acute haemoly...

Plant breeding and nutrition 57 Favism is a disease characterized by haemolytic anaemia that affects certain individuals following the ingestion of the broad or field bean, Viciafaba. In spite of rather extensive studies that have been made regarding the clinical and biochemical manifestations of favism, the causative principle of favism has not been identified with any degree of certainty. Rec...