Anemia That Presented with Desaturation: A Focus on Core Concepts
Background. Methemoglobinemia is a potentially life-threatening condition which presents with cyanosis and characteristic “chocolate-coloured blood.” Although a co-oximetry would give a prompt diagnosis, there have been multiple reports of misdiagnosing this treatable condition—from being diagnosed...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Case Reports in Pediatrics |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5583840 |
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| author | Lakshmi Shobhavat Antonio D’Costa Karthik Shroff |
| author_facet | Lakshmi Shobhavat Antonio D’Costa Karthik Shroff |
| author_sort | Lakshmi Shobhavat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background. Methemoglobinemia is a potentially life-threatening condition which presents with cyanosis and characteristic “chocolate-coloured blood.” Although a co-oximetry would give a prompt diagnosis, there have been multiple reports of misdiagnosing this treatable condition—from being diagnosed as sepsis to asthma and even being operated for “ruptured ectopic pregnancy.” Here, we report a case which presented without the classical signs of poisoning and methemoglobinemia—without vomiting, cyanosis, or chocolate-coloured blood. We also discuss the common misconceptions regarding anemia physiology and the pitfalls in diagnosing this condition and warn the reader regarding the reflexive use of antidotes like methylene blue. Case Presentation. A well-grown 3-year old boy presented with an acute history of irritability, cola-coloured urine, and desaturation on examination. The child was pale, with tachypnoea and in failure. Blood smear was suggestive of severe hemolytic anemia. Methemoglobinemia was diagnosed on co-oximetry. By focussing on physiologic principles of management rather than a specific antidote, the child was discharged home, well and active within 3 days of intensive care admission. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5c9eeb0d57574eb2812342d5a41c5dad |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2090-6803 2090-6811 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Reports in Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-5c9eeb0d57574eb2812342d5a41c5dad2025-02-03T00:58:59ZengWileyCase Reports in Pediatrics2090-68032090-68112021-01-01202110.1155/2021/55838405583840Anemia That Presented with Desaturation: A Focus on Core ConceptsLakshmi Shobhavat0Antonio D’Costa1Karthik Shroff2Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, Parel, Mumbai, IndiaBai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, Parel, Mumbai, IndiaBai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, Parel, Mumbai, IndiaBackground. Methemoglobinemia is a potentially life-threatening condition which presents with cyanosis and characteristic “chocolate-coloured blood.” Although a co-oximetry would give a prompt diagnosis, there have been multiple reports of misdiagnosing this treatable condition—from being diagnosed as sepsis to asthma and even being operated for “ruptured ectopic pregnancy.” Here, we report a case which presented without the classical signs of poisoning and methemoglobinemia—without vomiting, cyanosis, or chocolate-coloured blood. We also discuss the common misconceptions regarding anemia physiology and the pitfalls in diagnosing this condition and warn the reader regarding the reflexive use of antidotes like methylene blue. Case Presentation. A well-grown 3-year old boy presented with an acute history of irritability, cola-coloured urine, and desaturation on examination. The child was pale, with tachypnoea and in failure. Blood smear was suggestive of severe hemolytic anemia. Methemoglobinemia was diagnosed on co-oximetry. By focussing on physiologic principles of management rather than a specific antidote, the child was discharged home, well and active within 3 days of intensive care admission.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5583840 |
| spellingShingle | Lakshmi Shobhavat Antonio D’Costa Karthik Shroff Anemia That Presented with Desaturation: A Focus on Core Concepts Case Reports in Pediatrics |
| title | Anemia That Presented with Desaturation: A Focus on Core Concepts |
| title_full | Anemia That Presented with Desaturation: A Focus on Core Concepts |
| title_fullStr | Anemia That Presented with Desaturation: A Focus on Core Concepts |
| title_full_unstemmed | Anemia That Presented with Desaturation: A Focus on Core Concepts |
| title_short | Anemia That Presented with Desaturation: A Focus on Core Concepts |
| title_sort | anemia that presented with desaturation a focus on core concepts |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5583840 |
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