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Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency

G6PD deficiency causes a disease in which a person has too few red blood cells because the cells break apart easily (hemolytic anemia). This is an inherited condition that is most common in people from tropical Africa, the Mediterranean, and certain parts of Asia. It is also common in black Americans.

Certain medications and infections can cause attacks of anemia in people with this condition. For some people, eating fava beans (also called broad beans) can cause an anemic attack.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Last Revised May 8, 2009

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 08, 2009
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

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