title: [Acquired methemoglobinemia: a case report].
abstract: When an infant presents severe cyanosis which is not associated with respiratory distress, methaemoglobinemia should always be suspected. In children its main inducers are contaminated water or vegetable broths with high nitrate levels (especially spinach and carrots) used to prepare powdered formula or soups. Children affected with methaemoglobinemia have a peculiar lavender colour. Blood from the heel sticks is chocolate-brown and does not become pink when exposed to room air. Diagnosis can be confirmed by excluding other causes of cyanosis and by spectrophotometric analysis of blood for methaemoglobin. When methaemoglobin's levels reach 60% or more, the patient will collapse and become comatose and may die. Therapy with methylene blue results in prompt relief. In this article we report a case of methaemoglobinemia due to the administration of powdered formula mixed with vegetable broths to a newborn aged 16 days. Furthermore we will present a short review of literature regarding methaemoglobinemia caused by toxic agents over the last 10 years.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Pediatrica, Università degli Studi di Verona.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Benini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vino
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fanos
mesh_terms: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007225:Infant Food / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008706:Methemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D008708:Methemoglobinemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013053:Spectrophotometry
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D008706:Methemoglobin; D008751:Methylene Blue