Determining methemoglobin level in infants with acute diarrhea
Swiatkowska, A.; Adamkiewicz-Drozyńska, E.
Pediatria Polska 60(6): 472-475
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-3939 PMID: 4069842 Document Number: 251718
Methaemoglobinaemia was determined in 65 patients with diarrhoea and 67 healthy children aged 1-16 months. Most cases were infants aged up to 6 months who have a significantly greater tendency for development of toxic methaemoglobinaemia. The mean methaemoglobin level was markedly higher in children with diarrhoea. Besides that, calculations of the mean methaemoglobin levels in various age groups showed greatest difference in the youngest children and lowest in those aged over 10 months in whom most authors consider that the danger of poisoning with nitrites is non-existent. It seems indicated to determine the level of this substance in young infants with diarrhoea and cyanosis for ruling out nitrite poisoning.