Pediatria pre prax 6/2014
Methemoglobinemia caused by well water and the use of street drugs
Acquired methemoglobinaemia is a serious complication caused by nitrate containing well water as well as by many oxidizing drugs. It presents as cyanosis unresponsive to oxygen therapy. In the first of the presented cases acute methemoglobinemia developed in a one month old girls receiving formula feeding diluted with well water. The genesis of acute methemoglobinemia (41,5 %) in the 18 years old boy was more curious, to its development could contribute adulterants added to street drugs.
Keywords: methemoglobinaemia, nitrate, methamphetamine, street drugs
