Methaemoglobinaemia due to accidental sodium nitrite poisoning. Report of 10 cases

Nitrates and nitrites are widely used in the food and chemical industry. Poisoning with these agents may be potentially life-threatening as a result of the production of methaemoglobin. A group of 10 patients suffering from moderate to severe methaemoglobinaemia after accidental intoxication with a sodium nitrite salt is described. One patient died but the other 9 recovered rapidly. The low mortality rate was attributed to prompt diagnosis and institution of appropriate therapy with methylene blue and ascorbic acid.