Clinical And Evolutive Characteristics in Acute Toxic Methemoglobinemia in Children

 

Abstract

Introduction: Acquired or toxic methemoglobinemia is the result of exposure by swallowing, inhalation or dermal absorbtion of medicines or non-drug chemicals with oxidizing properties. The main objectives of the study were to highlight the main causes of methemoglobinemia in children, to identify the associated factors and their influence on the clinical form of the disease as well as the response to antidote treatment with methylene blue.

Methods: All patients with acute toxic methemoglobinemia hospitalized over a period of six years were included in the study, the inclusion criteria being: age < 18 years, suggestive symptomatology (generalized cyanosis, asthenia, dyspnea) and methemoglobin values >3%.

Results: 82 patients with acute toxic methemoglobinemia were identified of which the majority (94%) were between 0-5 years. 69 cases were secondary to exposure to nitrates from water used to prepare food. The severity of methemoglobinemia was significantly higher among anemic and dehydrated patients. All patients received antidote treatment with methylene blue one or more administrations, and all had a favorable outcome.

Conclusions: Acute toxic methemoglobinemia is mainly observed in children up to 5 years of age, the majority being infants. The main cause of it in children is exposure to exogenous substances among which nitrates that contaminate well water occupy the first place. Age under 1 year, hemoglobin values lower than 11g/dl, and acute dehydration syndrome represent risk factors for severe forms. Methylene blue is the treatment of choice for acute toxic methemoglobinemia in children and its administration is effective in the majority of cases.

Read More About This Article:https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=h54T75oAAAAJ&sortby=pubdate&citation_for_view=h54T75oAAAAJ:zYLM7Y9cAGgC

Read  More Juniper Publishers Google Scholar Article: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=cQC-apMAAAAJ&hl=en

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