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Case Reports
. 2014 Apr;18(4):253-5.
doi: 10.4103/0972-5229.130582.

Methylene blue unresponsive methemoglobinemia

Sibabratta Patnaik  1 , Manivachagan Muthappa Natarajan  1 , Ebor Jacob James  1 , Kala Ebenezer  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Methylene blue unresponsive methemoglobinemia

Sibabratta Patnaik et al. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2014 Apr.

Abstract

Acquired methemoglobinemia is an uncommon blood disorder induced by exposure to certain oxidizing agents and drugs. Although parents may not give any history of toxin ingestion; with the aid of pulse-oximetry and blood gas analysis, we can diagnose methemoglobinemia. Prompt recognition of this condition is required in emergency situations to institute early methylene blue therapy. We report an unusual case of severe toxic methemoglobinemia, which did not respond to methylene blue, but was successfully managed with exchange transfusion.

Keywords: Co-oximetry; exchange transfusion; methemoglobinemia; methylene blue.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

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