[Toxic methemoglobinemia in newborns and infants].

Abstract

It has been analised cases of toxic methemoglobinemia in newborns and sucklings on patients of children department city hospital Sombor in period from 1968 to 1979. In all patients methemoglobinemia was caused with wellwater containing nitrates. Originate of this state depends on: growth of child because in first few month of life they have immature methemoglobin reductase in erythrocyte, hypovitaminosis C and gastrointestinal disfunction. Diagnosis was based on anamnestical data that was used water from unhygenic well, on cyanosis of various intensity and that have disappeared during the treatment with vitamin C and not give any recurrence later. In last years number of such cases is decreasing because of better suply with proper drinking water. Further decrease can be achieved with health education and prophylactic peroral consumption of vitamin C in predisposing regions.