methemoglobinemia

Also known as Methemoglobinemias

Methemoglobinemia, or methaemoglobinaemia, is a condition of elevated methemoglobin in the blood. Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, poor muscle coordination, and blue-colored skin (cyanosis). Complications may include seizures and heart arrhythmias.

Key facts

Medical condition (new).name: Methemoglobinemia
Medical condition (new).image: ChocolateBrownBlood (cropped).jpg
Medical condition (new).caption: Chocolate-brown blood due to methemoglobinemia
Medical condition (new).field: Toxicology, haematology, Emergency medicine
Medical condition (new).synonyms: Hemoglobin M disease,
Medical condition (new).symptoms: Headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, poor muscle coordination, blue-colored skin
Medical condition (new).causes: Benzocaine, nitrites, dapsone, genetics
Medical condition (new).diagnosis: Blood gas
Medical condition (new).differential: Argyria, sulfhemoglobinemia, heart failure
Medical condition (new).treatment: Oxygen therapy, methylene blue
Medical condition (new).prognosis

Article

15 sections

Contents

Signs and symptoms
Cause
Acquired
Genetic
Pathophysiology
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
Treatment
Epidemiology
Society and culture
Blue Fugates
Blue Men of Lurgan
See also
References
External links

Methemoglobinemia can be due to certain medications, chemicals, or food, or it can be inherited. Substances involved may include benzocaine, nitrites, or dapsone. The underlying mechanism involves some of the iron in hemoglobin being converted from the ferrous [Fe2+] to the ferric [Fe3+] form. The diagnosis is often suspected on the basis of symptoms and a low blood oxygen that does not improve with oxygen therapy. Diagnosis is confirmed by a blood gas analysis.