Two children returned from Egypt with a dangerous disease

Two children who returned from Egypt were hospitalized at Rambam with severe anemia due to acute hemolysis after eating local falafel. Both had a family history of G6PD deficiency, but the children themselves were unaware. Dr. Reisi Grodé-Sussman noted that Egyptian falafel is made from fava beans, not chickpeas, which triggered the reaction. One child required a blood transfusion.

Within ten days, two children returning from a vacation in Egypt were hospitalized at Rambam Medical Center with severe anemia caused by acute hemolysis — the rapid destruction of red blood cells. Dr. Reisi Grodé-Sussman, a physician in the pediatric hematology-oncology department, reported two unrelated cases. Both children deteriorated after eating Egyptian falafel, which is made from fava beans, unlike Israeli falafel, which uses chickpeas. Both families had a known history of G6PD deficiency, but the children themselves were unaware of their condition. The first child, a 12-year-old boy, arrived with jaundice, dark urine, and a significant drop in hemoglobin. The second, an 8-year-old, suffered acute hemolysis and required a blood transfusion. His two-year-old brother also tasted the falafel but, due to the small amount consumed, did not need hospitalization. The doctor noted that the families were unaware of the composition of Egyptian falafel and stressed the importance of checking food ingredients when there is a known sensitivity.