Metahemoglobinemia in infants over one year

Abstract

Background and objectives: Methaemoglobinaemia is a typical acute intoxication disorder in children under one year old. It is produced by excess nitrates which induce the haemoglobin's iron oxidation, preventing its adequate binding to oxygen. It is more frequent in infants due to its lower enzymatic activity.

Patients: Two cases of 15-month-old infants with methaemoglobinaemia after the intake of vegetables, atypical by the age of the patients and the initial severity in the first case that simulated a septic syndrome. Both cases evolved well with adequate oxygen therapy.

Conclusions: Although the most frequent clinical manifestation is cyanosis associated with respiratory distress, methaemoglobinaemia can present with more severe and confusing symptoms. The main treatment is oxygen therapy at high concentrations and methylene blue as an intravenous antidote only in selected cases. The intake of vegetables is the main cause of this in infants, so it is important to give adequate information to parents about the consumption and preservation of these foods during the first year of life.

Keywords: Dificultad respiratoria; Food poisoning; Intoxicación alimentaria; Metahemoglobinemia; Methaemoglobinaemia; Paediatrics; Pediatría; Respiratory distress.