Case Report of Methemoglobinemia in a Toddler Secondary to Topical Dapsone Exposure

Abstract

Aczone gel 5% contains dapsone and is a commonly used topical dermatologic therapy for acne in adolescents and adults. We describe the first reported pediatric case of a previously healthy girl presenting with acute onset of methemoglobinemia after exposure to her sibling’s Aczone gel. The patient was successfully treated with methylene blue initially and subsequently needed an additional dose for rebound methemoglobinemia. This case demonstrates the complications of systemic absorption of dapsone in the pediatric population resulting in clinically significant methemoglobinemia from a single topical application.