Methemoglobin Values in Premature and Mature Infants and Children

Abstract

The concentration of methemoglobin in the blood serum of normal premature infants, full-term newborn infants, and older infants and children was the subject of this study. Methemoglobin may exist in small amounts normally in the blood of children and adults.* It has also been found as a normal constituent of the blood in various animals.† The only normal children reported, however, were in the study by Paul and Kemp,¹and the youngest was 7 years. There have been numerous reports of methemoglobinemia following poisoning⁷or following administration of sulfonamide, acetanilid, and many other drugs.⁸Methemoglobinemia in infants due to ingestion of water containing high concentrations of nitrates is well known.⁹ The principle aim of the present study was to determine the amounts of methemoglobin in the blood of normal premature and mature newborn infants and of older children. <h3>MATERIAL AND METHODS</h3> The premature infants and mature