Methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia after rasburicase administration in a child with leukemia.
METHODS
We report a case of simultaneous methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia, probably related to the use of rasburicase, in a child starting treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In addition, the patient developed symptoms of pancreatitis. All complications resolved after 3 days of supportive therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Although usually well tolerated in pediatrics, physicians prescribing rasburicase should be aware of these possible life-threatening adverse reactions.
Department of Pharmacy, Ghent University Hospital, -1 K12, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. tiene.bauters@uzgent.be
T
T
Bauters
V
V
Mondelaers
H
H
Robays
H
H
De Wilde
Y
Y
Benoit
B
B
De Moerloose
D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002648:Child; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008708:Methemoglobinemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D014503:Urate Oxidase / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D006074:Gout Suppressants; C469709:rasburicase; D014503:Urate Oxidase