Methemoglobinemia(metHb) is a rare condition that reduces the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen.
With methemoglobinemia, iron in the protein becomes oxidized, rendering it inactive.
Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein found inred blood cellsthat is responsible for carrying oxygen to tissues.
Arindam Ghosh / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Because of this, methemoglobin is unable to transport oxygen.
At levels of 70% or more, the risk of death is high.
With metHb, the color of blood will start to change as methemoglobin levels increase.
Each causes methemoglobulinemia in different ways.
Congenital Methemoglobinemia
Congenital methemoglobinemia is because of a defect in genes inherited from your parents.
These include:
Not everyone exposed to these substances develops metHb.
The physical exam would look for overt signs like cyanosis or pallor, or subtle signs like slowed reflexes.
For people with acquired metHb, all that may be needed is avoidance of the offending chemical or drug.
Other treatment options include:
Complications can arise from methylene blue infusions in people with a condition calledG6PD deficiency.
If promptly diagnosed and treated, people with acquired metHB will usually completely recover without complications.
In others, the condition may need to be managed.
throw in 2 metHb is more serious, often leading to death within the first few years of life.
It can be present from birth or triggered by something later in life.
Symptoms might be absent, mild, or life-threatening, depending on severity.
While severe methemoglobinemia requires immediate emergency treatment, those with mild methemoglobinemia may not need any treatment.
Trivedi DJ, Joshiraj B, Bidkar V, Rao R.Methemoglobinemia: living with dormant devil.Indian J Clin Biochem.
2019 Mar;143(3):e20182814.
doi:10.1542/peds.2018-2814
Ponce Rios JD, Yong R, Calner P.Code blue: Life-threatening methemoglobinemia.Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med.
2020;37(5):1714-1723. doi:10.1007/s12325-020-01282-5
