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Toggle: English / SpanishMethemoglobinemia - Symptom
Alternative Names
Hemoglobin M disease; Erythrocyte reductase deficiency; Generalized reductase deficiency
Symptoms:
Symptoms of type 1 methemoglobinemia (erythrocyte reductase deficiency) include:
- Bluish coloring of the skin
Symptoms of type 2 methemoglobinemia (generalized reductase deficiency) include:
- Developmental delay
- Failure to thrive
- Mental retardation
- Seizures
Symptoms of hemoglobin M disease include:
- Bluish coloring of the skin
Symptoms of acquired methemoglobinemia include:
- Bluish coloring of the skin
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Lack of energy
Signs and tests:
Methemoglobinemia can be diagnosed with a blood test.
A baby with this condition will have bluish skin color (cyanosis) at birth or shortly thereafter. Arterial blood gases and pulse oximetry results will be normal, making the condition challenging to diagnose.
- Reviewed last on: 8/13/2009
- Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
References
DeBaun MR, Vichinsky E. Hemoglobinopathies. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 462.
Gregg XT, Prchal JT. Red blood cell enzymopathies. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ Jr., Shattil SS, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingston; 2008:chap 45.
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