Favism by proxy in nursing glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient neonates.

Two nursing neonates deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase developed severe hyperbilirubinemia despite phototherapy. Mothers of both the infants had recently eaten fava beans. The hemolytic triggers found in fava beans may have been absorbed by the mothers and excreted in their breast milk. Carboxyhemoglobin determination performed on one of the infants reflected ongoing hemolysis.