Mother’s horror her five-year-old son was rushed to hospital after eating popular kid’s snack

‘His skin went yellow, his urine was dark’: Mother’s horror after her five-year-old son was rushed to hospital after eating a popular kid’s snack – and her warning to other parents

  • Mother shared her terrifying ordeal on Facebook warning other parents of snack
  • Her five-year-old son ended up in hospital and was found to be deficient in G6PD
  • G6PD deficiency when red blood cells break down faster than being replaced

A mother has rushed her five-year-old son to hospital after his skin turned yellow from eating a popular children’s snack.

The horrified Sydney mother shared her terrifying ordeal on Facebook, warning other parents after her son’s skin went yellow and his urine dark after snacking on fava beans. 

‘Ever eaten or given your kids fava beans?’, the mother wrote.

‘Just something to be aware of …. my 5 year old is currently in hospital and very sick after eating 3 packets of these this week.

The five-year-old boy’s skin turned yellow and his urine darker after snacking on fava beans (stock)

‘He’s had a pack or so every now and then but not as much as he did this week.

‘We thought he just had a cold but yesterday we noticed he was actually yellow in colour, his urine was dark, he could barely wake up. Took him to doctor and they said straight to emergency.’

The mother rushed her son to hospital where they found he was deficient in G6PD, an enzyme which is important in protecting the red blood cells. 

Signs and symptoms of G6PD deficiency 

  • pale skin (pallor)
  • persistent and/or severe tiredness
  • dark coloured urine (wee)
  • jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)

According to The Royal Children’s Hospital, favism is the occurrence of a severe reaction to fava beans (broad beans).

There is a risk of acute haemolysis, where red blood cells break down faster than the body can replace them, which can be life-threatening. 

The break down of the red cells can lead to anaemia, which can cause pale skin and lethargy. 

This condition is believed to affect 400 million people worldwide.  

The condition is more common in males and is usually passed on to male children from their mother (stock)

The condition is more common in males and is usually passed on to male children from their mother (stock)

The condition is more common in males and is usually passed on to male children from their mother. 

The young boy is now doing fine.

‘Our son will be fine but just thought it was something that was useful to know as we certainly had no idea!’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk