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A Rapid and Chemical-free Hemoglobin Assay with Photothermal Angular Light Scattering
Published on: December 7, 2016
Acquired Methemoglobinemia - A Sporadic Holi Disaster
Sanjeevani Satish Masavkar1, Anupama Mauskar, Gaurav Patwardhan
1Department of Pediatrics, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai, India. Correspondence to: Dr Sanjeevani Satish Masavkar, Associate Professor, 242/9458, Kannamwar Nagar 2, Vikhroli E, Mumbai 400 083, India. nagotkar.leena@gmail.com.
Objective:
To study clinical profile and outcome in patients with methemoglobinemia following exposure to toxic colors during Holi festival.
Methods:
This retrospective study included 112 children (5 to 12 years) admitted with methemoglobinemia after playing Holi. Clinical and treatment details were reviewed.
Results:
The common symptoms were giddiness, vomiting and headache. Treatment included thorough skin wash, intravenous fluid and methylene blue in 111 children. Age 7-9 and > 11 years, vomiting, giddiness, cyanosis, PaO2 < 80 mm Hg and oxygen saturation < 95% were associated with higher need for methylene blue. All children had a good outcome.
Conclusion:
Timely diagnosis and management of acquired methemoglobinemia can save lives.
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