What is methemoglobinamia?

methemoglobinaemia or Met H-B is a rare blood disorder that may be caused by inherited or congenital states, exposure to toxins, especially nitrates or dehydration, especially in infants. In this condition, methemoglobin, the form of hemoglobin is present in too large quantities. This particular type of hemoglobin cannot bear or bind oxygen, which means that the number of red blood cells containing oxygen is reduced. The poor supply of oxygen bearing red blood cells causes anemia and can be disastrous for organs, and when methemoglobin is present in large quantities, the organs may begin to fail. Thus, methemoglobinaemia can be fatal, causing general heart failure when it remains untreated. It causes cyanosis, clearly blue skin. People who have this disorder look not only a bit blue but often very blue. Other symptoms include changes in the mental state, confusion, shortness of breath, dizziness and headaches. Continuing accumulation of methemoglobin can cause loss of consciousness, coma and NAKONEC death. The diagnosis can be confirmed by controlling the presence of methemoglobin in the blood, which should be less than 1%. Higher amounts confirm methemoglobinaemia. Next, the blood of the arteries looks instead of bright red.

The condition is treatable and may need to retreat in people who have congenital or inherited methemoglobinaemia attempt to reduce methemoglobin so that the iron molecules again transfer oxygen. This is usually achieved by intravenous drops of the methylene blue substance. As the treatment progresses, the skin begins to pink and the main organs of the body are better oxygenated.

While methemoglobinaemia may be inherited, the occurrence of inheritance is low. Instead, the disease usually manifests itself after sevdehydration or exposure to toxins. In the spin-off show Grey's anatomy , private practice , several nurses developed a condition after a long exposition to nitrate fertilizers. This is actually a perfect exampleHow certain toxins can create a condition.

Infants, especially those that are less than six months old, are also very vulnerable to methemoglobinamia if they receive diseases that results in dehydration. Small children are particularly susceptible to dehydration from diarrhea or vomiting, because their body weight is so low. Unlike adults, they can dehydrate within a few hours of verification, which can quickly create an excessive level of methemoglobin. That is why it is extremely important to treat small children with severe diarrhea or vomiting immediately, especially if the condition does not solve within hours and the child cannot tolerate or maintain any fluids.