Methemoglobinemia pathophysiology

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Methemoglobinemia Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Methemoglobinemia from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Chest X Ray

CT

MRI

Ultrasound

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Methemoglobinemia pathophysiology On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Methemoglobinemia pathophysiology

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Methemoglobinemia pathophysiology

on Methemoglobinemia pathophysiology

Methemoglobinemia pathophysiology in the news

Blogs on Methemoglobinemia pathophysiology

Directions to Hospitals Treating Methemoglobinemia

Risk calculators and risk factors for Methemoglobinemia pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Template:Aksiniya K. Stevasarova, M.D.

Overview

Methemoglobin (MetHb) refers to the state of hemoglobin (Hb) in which the [[iron atom)] is oxidized or in ferric state (Fe3+). In this state the iron is incapable of creating a bond with the oxygen, thus it neither can bind, nor deliver oxygen to the tissues.The formation of methemoglobin can be a result of a normal physiologic process of losing an electron from the iron atom, after releasing the oxygen to the tissues, and we can detect methemoglobin in the blood of healthy people, but the normal levels should always be less than 1%. These levels are maintained by several enzyme systems that work to reduce the iron to its ferrous state (Fe2+). [1]

Pathogenesis

There are two major mechanisms that can lead to the formation of methemoglobin - acquired and congenital. [5]


Acquired or Acute Methemoglobinemia

  • Infants under 4 months of age are particularly susceptible to methemoglobinemia. The most common causes in this patient population are the ingesting of nitrates in drinking water and topical anesthetic use like benzocaine and prilocaine, that are found in over-the-counter (OTC) products, used to soothe a baby’s sore gums from teething for example. For that reason The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that these OTC drugs are not given to children younger than age 2. [12] [13]
  • Nitrates ingestion is especially dangerous as nitrates used in agricultural fertilizers can often leak into the ground, thus contaminating well water. Infants, particularly those younger than 4 months are most susceptible to methemoglobinemia. This is due to the fact that the NADH methemoglobin reductase activity and concentration, the main protective enzyme, against oxidative stress is not fully mature in infants. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set strict rules on the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of nitrate as nitrogen in the water. The current EPA guidelines state that no more than 10 mg/L (or 10 parts per million) of nitrogen is safe in drinking water. [14]

Congenital (Hereditary) Methemoglobinemia

  • There are three main congenital conditions that lead to methemoglobinemia[15]  :

1. Cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency and pyruvate kinase deficiency[16]

2. G6PD deficiency

3. Presence of abnormal hemoglobin (Hb M)

The most common form, is the Ib5R deficiency, where cyt b5 reductase is absent only in RBCs, and the levels of MetHb are around 10% to 35%. The second type, which is much less common, is the [[IIb5R], where MetHb varies between 10% and 15% and the cyt b5 reductase is absent in all cells. This form is associated with mental retardation, microcephaly, and other neurologic problems. The lifespan of the affected individuals is greatly affected and patients usually die very young. [17]

  • Abnormal hemoglobins like Hb M, an autosomal dominant condition, can also lead to methemoglobinemia. Here we observe not only impaired oxygen binding due to oxidation of iron to its ferric state (Fe3+), caused by amino acid replacement in the heme molecule, but also inability of the protective enzyme systems to reduce the iron to its normal ferrous state (Fe2+).

Gross Pathology

Microscopic Pathology

References

  1. {{J Clin Invest. 1963 Apr; 42(4): 581–588. doi: 10.1172/JCI104747 IS HEMOGLOBIN AN ESSENTIAL STRUCTURAL COMPONENT OF HUMAN ERYTHROCYTE MEMBRANES?* Robert I. Weed, Claude F. Reed, and George Berg PMID: 13999462 PMCID: PMC289318 DOI: 10.1172/JCI104747}}
  2. {{Del Med J. 2011 Jul;83(7):203-8. Methemoglobinemia: a systematic review of the pathophysiology, detection, and treatment. Ashurst J1, Wasson M. pmid=PMID: 21954509 }}
  3. {{Rev Bras Anestesiol. 2008 Nov-Dec;58(6):651-64. Methemoglobinemia: from diagnosis to treatment. [Article in English, Portuguese] do Nascimento TS1, Pereira RO, de Mello HL, Costa J. pmid=PMID:19082413 }}
  4. Template:Del Med J. 2011 Jul;83(7):203-8. Methemoglobinemia: a systematic review of the pathophysiology, detection, and treatment. Ashurst J1, Wasson M. pmid=PMID: 21954509
  5. Template:Prog Clin Biol Res. 1981;51:133-51. Methemoglobin pathophysiology. Jaffé ER. pmid=PMID: 7022466
  6. {{Dent Clin North Am. 2010 Oct;54(4):665-75. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2010.06.007. Epub 2010 Aug 7. Acquired methemoglobinemia revisited. Trapp L1, Will J. pmid=20831930 }}
  7. Template:Med Toxicol. 1986 Jul-Aug;1(4):253-60. Drug- and chemical-induced methaemoglobinaemia. Clinical features and management. Hall AH, Kulig KW, Rumack BH.pmid=PMID: 3537620
  8. {{South Med J. 2011 Nov;104(11):757-61. doi: 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e318232139f. Methemoglobinemia: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. Skold A1, Cosco DL, Klein R. pmid=22024786 }}
  9. {{ J Emerg Med. 2018 Mar 5. pii: S0736-4679(18)30095-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2018.01.039. [Epub ahead of print] Local Anesthetic-Induced Methemoglobinemia During Pregnancy: A Case Report and Evaluation of Treatment Options. Faust AC1, Guy E1, Baby N2, Ortegon A3.pmid=29519718}}
  10. {{ Ann Pharmacother. 1994 May;28(5):643-9. Benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia: report of a severe reaction and review of the literature. Rodriguez LF1, Smolik LM, Zbehlik AJ.pmid=8069004 }}
  11. {{Drug Saf Case Rep. 2018 Apr 7;5(1):15. doi: 10.1007/s40800-018-0081-4. Acquired Methemoglobinemia Associated with Topical Lidocaine Administration: A Case Report. Gay HC1,2, Amaral AP3. pmid=PMID: 29627919 }}
  12. [www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm250024.htm]
  13. [www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm306062.htm]
  14. [www.epa.gov/dwstandardsregulations]
  15. Template:Del Med J. 2011 Jul;83(7):203-8. Methemoglobinemia: a systematic review of the pathophysiology, detection, and treatment. Ashurst J1, Wasson M. pmid=PMID: 21954509
  16. Template:Haematologia (Budap). 1982 Dec;15(4):389-99. Enzymopenic hereditary methemoglobinemia. Jaffé ER. pmid=PMID: 6764628
  17. {{ Rev Bras Anestesiol. 2008 Nov-Dec;58(6):651-64. Methemoglobinemia: from diagnosis to treatment. [Article in English, Portuguese] do Nascimento TS1, Pereira RO, de Mello HL, Costa J.pmid=PMID: 19082413}}

Template:WH Template:WS