An acquired acute methemoglobinemia from dietary sources: Case reports and literature review


Submitted: 7 May 2020
Accepted: 11 July 2020
Published: 18 March 2021
Abstract Views: 3284
PDF: 368
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Authors

  • Angela Mauro Pediatric Emergency Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy.
  • Iolanda Parente Pediatric Emergency Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy.
  • Thailjlia Gagliardo Pediatric Emergency Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy.
  • Anna Bonadies Pediatric Emergency Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy.
  • Raffaele Mancusi Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.
  • Vincenzo Tipo Pediatric Emergency Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy.
  • Eduardo Ponticiello Pediatric Emergency Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy.

Methemoglobinemia is an alteration of the oxidative state of hemoglobin. When methemoglobin values rise above 10%, the symptoms and signs related to this condition appear, such as cyanosis, respiratory problems, fatigue and headache. Acquired methemoglobinemia is characterized by the sudden onset of cyanosis in a previous healthy child, which can be due to exposure to medications or chemical substances including nitrates, copper, sulfates, chlorites, chloramines and chlorates which can be present in food and water. We illustrate two cases of acquired methemoglobinemia related to nitrate ingestion from a vegetable source.


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Mauro, A., Parente, I., Gagliardo, T., Bonadies, A., Mancusi, R., Tipo, V., & Ponticiello, E. (2021). An acquired acute methemoglobinemia from dietary sources: Case reports and literature review. Emergency Care Journal, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/ecj.2021.9089

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