Walking the Journey with G6PD – A Message to Every Family Living with G6PD Deficiency

When a doctor tells you, “Your child has G6PD deficiency.”

For many parents, the first reaction is worry.

“What can my child eat?”

“Will they get sick often?”

“Can they live a normal life like other children?”

As a mother, I understand these concerns deeply.

When my son was diagnosed with G6PD deficiency shortly after birth, it felt as though I had been handed a thick instruction manual filled with unfamiliar medical terms, warnings, and things I needed to remember.

But over time, I learned something important: G6PD deficiency is not a disease that stops a child from growing, thriving, and enjoying life. It is simply a condition that requires awareness, understanding, and good management.

What is G6PD Deficiency?

G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase) is a natural enzyme found in red blood cells. Think of it as a protective shield that helps red blood cells defend themselves against oxidative stress.

When a child lacks enough of this enzyme, their red blood cells become more fragile. Exposure to certain foods, medications, or chemicals can cause these cells to break down more quickly, leading to a condition called hemolysis.

Because some individuals experience hemolytic reactions after eating fava beans, G6PD deficiency is sometimes known as “Favism” or “Fava Bean Disease.”

Don’t Be Afraid – Most Children Grow Up Healthy and Strong

Many parents worry that children with G6PD deficiency will be physically weaker or unable to live normal lives.

In reality, most people with G6PD deficiency are just like everyone else.

They can attend school, swim, run, play sports, travel, pursue their dreams, and eventually build families of their own.

As long as they avoid known triggers that may cause hemolysis, most individuals with G6PD deficiency can enjoy healthy, active, and fulfilling lives.

Small Everyday Habits Make a Big Difference

As parents, we cannot protect our children every second of every day. What we can do is teach them to understand and care for their own bodies.

Always inform doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and healthcare professionals that your child has G6PD deficiency.

When travelling, carry a medical information card.

Before purchasing medications, supplements, herbal remedies, or natural products, take time to check whether the ingredients are suitable for individuals with G6PD deficiency.

These may seem like small habits, but they form an important line of defense in protecting your child’s health.

Natural Does Not Always Mean Safe

Many parents, including myself, prefer natural products because we want the very best for our children.

However, for individuals with G6PD deficiency, “natural” does not always mean “safe.”

Certain herbs, essential oils, and naturally occurring compounds may still have oxidative properties that could trigger adverse reactions.

Before introducing any new product, it is always wise to seek professional advice and carefully review the ingredients.

Choosing a product should not only be about whether it is natural, but also whether it is safe, tested, and appropriate for your child.

Every Careful Choice Is an Act of Love

Raising a child with G6PD deficiency is not always easy.

From selecting food and household products to checking medication ingredients, every decision requires thought and care.

Behind each of these choices lies a parent’s love, responsibility, and commitment to their child’s well-being.

Others may never see the effort involved, but your child’s health and happiness are the greatest rewards.

A Message to Every G6PD Family

Please don’t let a diagnosis of G6PD deficiency fill you with fear.

Every time you choose to learn more, ask questions, and make safer choices for your family, you are building a strong and loving layer of protection around your child.

G6PD deficiency is not a limitation.

It is a reminder.

A reminder to pay closer attention to health, to appreciate the small details in daily life, and to cherish every moment of our children’s growth and development.

May every child with G6PD deficiency grow up surrounded by love, protection, and understanding—free to run, explore, dream, and enjoy a healthy and happy childhood.

Fung Fung Mama

A mother raising a child with G6PD deficiency, who believes that a natural, simple, and toxin-free lifestyle can help create a healthier future for our children.

❤️🌱

About Fung Fung Mama

For more than 20 years, Fung Fung Mama has been a parenting blogger in Hong Kong. As a single mother raising a son with G6PD deficiency, she has dedicated herself to creating a healthier and more natural environment for her child.

With over 30 years of experience in global sourcing and quality procurement, including many years working with Japan’s SOGO Department Store, she has spent decades searching the world for healthy foods, natural products, and toxin-free everyday essentials.

In 2024, she founded Mama Crazy Shop in Taipei, Taiwan, with a simple mission: to provide families with carefully selected products that support a healthier quality of life.

As a mother herself, she understands the challenges faced by modern mothers—whether they are working full-time, staying at home, or balancing both family and career responsibilities.

This brand was created with love and purpose. Every product is thoughtfully selected from around the world, focusing on safety, quality, and freedom from harmful chemicals.

The goal is simple:

To help every child enjoy a healthy, safe, and happy childhood.

Because childhood only happens once.

Mama Crazy – Crazy Because of Love.

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