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Methemoglobinemia, Pediatric

Kevin C. Osterhoudt, MD, MS Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Methemoglobin is dysfunctional hemoglobin in which the deoxygenated heme moiety has been oxidized from the ferrous (Fe2+) to the ferric (Fe3+) state.

  • Methemoglobinemia is an undue acc...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Age of onset

    • New onset of cyanosis in children >6 months of age is unlikely to be due to congenital or enteritis-associated methemoglobinemia.

  • Source of water

    • Well water may be contam...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Acquired methemoglobinemia

    • Administer 100% oxygen.

    • Decontaminate or remove from toxic source of oxidative stress.

    • Alleviate enteritis with IV fluids or elemental formulas.

    • Treat ...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Toxic methemoglobinemia

    • Consider consultation with a medical toxicologist.

    • May require environmental investigation

  • Enteritis-associated methemoglobinemia

    • Careful form...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Canning J, Levine M. Case files of the medical toxicology fellowship at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ: methemoglobinemia following dapsone exposure. J Med Toxi...

CODES

ICD9

289.7 Methemoglobinemia 

ICD10

  • D74.9 Methemoglobinemia, unspecified

  • D74.8 Other methemoglobinemias

  • D74.0 Congenital methemoglobinemia

SNOMED

  • 38959009 Methemoglobinemia (disorder)

  • 191390009 Drug-ind...

FAQ

  • Q: Can methemoglobinemia be diagnosed by the color of the blood?

  • A: The “chocolate brown” blood of methemoglobinemia is most easily noted when compared to “control” blood on a white filter paper ba...

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