Citation

Pérez-Tuñón JG, Martiñón-Ríos R, Figueroa-Rivera M. Acta Pediatrica de Mexico 2018; 39(6): 355-360.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018)

DOI

10.18233/apm39no6pp355-3601733

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Acquired methemoglobinemia is a disorder in which hemoglobin is oxidized by an external agent, blocking transport and delivery of oxygen to tissues. One of the oxidizing agents is phenazopyridine hydrochloride, an aniline with analgesic effect used to treat urinary tract pain. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 12-year-old female patient who swallowed 250 mg of amitriptyline, 1.8 gr of phenazopyridine and 14.5 mg of clonazepam on a suicide attempt, developing metahemoglobinemia that required administration of methylene blue twice.

CONCLUSIONS: Methemoglobinemia is an underdiagnosed condition that can lead to serious complications and even death. It is diagnosed by co-oximetry. When this is not available, in addition to the clinical data, the saturation gap and the presence of "chocolate" blood should be evaluated. © Instituto Nacional de Pediatria 2018. All rights reserved.

Language: es

Keywords

Oxygen; Methemoglobinemia; Hemoglobin; Oxidizing agents; Phenazopirydine methylene Blue