[Favism (study of 8 families)]

This paper presents ten cases of total glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency in individuals with hemolytic crisis after exposure to products of the fava been ("Vicia faba"). Three other cases of total G-6-PD deficiency and eleven partial deficit cases of the enzyme, without associated hemolysis were detected in a total of forty individuals belonging to eight families of the province of Seville examinated for G-6-PD levels. Important differences were noted in the G-6-PD enzyme dosage taken during the crisis and six and twelve months after. This fact was interpreted as a secondary effect to the elimination of the enzymopenic cells because of hemolysis. Data suggests the existence of a relatively stable form of G-6-PD that could explain the dissociation between the incidence of deficit in G-6-PD level in the general population and the reduced casuist of favism reported in our literature.