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Reference values for methemoglobin concentrations in children

Kely Francini Rechetzki1, Railson Henneberg, Paulo Henrique da Silva

  • 1Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

Revista Brasileira De Hematologia E Hemoterapia
|October 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Children aged 6-10 have higher methemoglobin levels (3.61-6.44%) than adults. These elevated methemoglobin concentrations highlight the need for pediatric-specific reference ranges.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background:

  • Methemoglobinemia is a condition where hemoglobin is oxidized, reducing oxygen transport.
  • Establishing accurate reference ranges is crucial for diagnosing methemoglobinemia in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine reference values for methemoglobin levels in children aged 6 to 10 years.
  • To provide a basis for interpreting methemoglobin measurements in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • Studied methemoglobin concentrations in clinically healthy children.
  • Utilized a laboratory-feasible method for methemoglobin measurement, avoiding toxic chemicals and expensive enzymes.

Main Results:

  • Reference values for methemoglobin in children (3.61% to 6.44%) were found to be higher than in adults (1.9% to 3.8%).

Conclusions:

  • Higher methemoglobin concentrations in children may be due to lower levels of cytochrome b5 and reduced cytochrome b5 reductase activity.
  • Pediatric reference values are necessary, as adult ranges are inappropriate for interpreting methemoglobinemia in children.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildMethemoglobinMethemoglobinemiaOxidative stressReference values

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