Born inheritance disease

My child was born in Hong Kong and when he was born he have a disease that is pronouce as how-so in cantonese, it's suppose to be inheritance. He is not suppose to smell a certain chemical that might be in purfume or his face is suppose to turn yellow and it affect his blood. It is rare for female to have it and it's more serious when they have it. The doctor said that he have this disease but it's ok as long as we tell other doctors about it so they don't give him certain kind of medicine that would turn his face yellow and i think he also said that 1 out of about 10 people have it( not sure if it's 1 out of every 10 chinese). He is also not suppose to eat a certain types of bean. Does anyone have any ideas what this is call in english?

[AnnieBrooke]

It might be called G6PD Deficiency.  It is associated with jaundice, and with fava beans in some people.  Try looking it up and see if it fits the description the doctor told you.

[AnnieBrooke]

Also, it is a genetic condition, not a disease; the good news is that it confers some resistance to malaria.  There are several websites devoted to G6PD Deficiency.  Good luck!

[AngelHeart]

I think you're right, thank you.

[AnnieBrooke]

Very glad to be of help.  Here is a website that offers information about this enzyme deficiency, (and about a related condition that is more serious, called favism).  The thing I thought was quite useful about the site is that it gives a list of foods a child with this condition should not eat.  http://www.favism.org/favism/english/index.mv?pgid=intro