Symptoms of Methemoglobinemia in Babies

Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder caused by an increase (greater than 1% — normal level) in level of methemoglobin or metHb in the blood which affects babies. Methemoglobinemia occurs by oxidization of hemoglobin in blood. This compound absorbs oxygen which results in improper (rather poor) distribution of oxygen to the various body tissues. The increase of methemoglobin in the red blood cells may cause tissue hypoxia.

Typically, the affected infant will show the following symptoms and signs of Methemoglobinemia:

1. Skin will be bluish or purplish tinge to it due to the changes in the composition of the blood. Color changing process will be deepen with time, and mucus may also turn blue in most cases.
2. Physical as well as mental development will be delayed in a great extent. In many cases of Methemoglobinemia the child ends up being mentally retarded. Infant becomes also fearful towards socializing with other children and often may suffer from seizures and panic attacks.
3. The baby will be less active (lack of energy) and remain listless and cranky most of the times. He/she will prefer sleeping rather than playing. Methemoglobinemia also affects the mood adversely. Your child will be restless and irritated for most part of the day.
4. He/she will cry and remain listless throughout. The crying will be incessant because the baby will feel irritated and his inability to express the condition (loss of consciousness i.e.) will make him cranky.

As per research, two type of methemoglobinemia among the babies:

Inherited Forms – refers to the congenital form of methemoglobinemia which has an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. This form is caused by the problem of a certain enzyme, called cytochrome b5 reductase. In this form, both parents carry the gene for the disorder but typically neither has the disorder themselves. In case of carrier of one person among the parents baby can be infected with this disease which is caused by defects in the hemoglobin molecule.

Acquired Forms – more common than the inherited forms and occurs after exposure to certain chemicals and drugs. It is more likely to occur in premature babies, younger than four months of age.  Exposure to exogenous oxidizing drugs and their metabolites (such as benzocaine, dapsone and nitrates) may accelerate the rate of formation of methemoglobin.
Methemoglobinemia in new born babies is very fatal and life threatening as well. Many babies afflicted with the disorder do not live beyond a certain time (not more than ten years of age). There have only been a few cases where the children have survived infancy.