Pediatric Emergency Care and Medicine: Open Access

Severe Methemoglobinemia Secondary to Gun-Powder Sniff in an Infant to Treat Infantile Colic: A Case Report

Methemoglobinemia is an increase in the methemoglobin levels in the blood due to inherited enzyme deficiencies or exposure of oxidizing agent. We report a case of life-threatening methemoglobinemia in an infant secondary to ingestion of Potassium Nitrate in the form of Gun-powder sniff as a remedy to treat infantile colic. The patient was successfully treated with methylene blue. Based on this case, the authors suggest that the use of Gun-powder sniff as a remedy should be avoided in infants, and pediatricians as well as emergency care providers should be aware of suck toxicity and educate parents appropriately.

Author(s):

Dana Altamimi and Majid Al-Eissa

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