VOLUME 18 , ISSUE 2 ( February, 2014 ) > List of Articles
Tarun George, Atif Shaikh, Abhilash Kundavaram
Keywords : Biological extracts, insecticide, methemoglobinemia
Citation Information : George T, Shaikh A, Kundavaram A. Severe methemoglobinemia due to insecticide poisoning. Indian J Crit Care Med 2014; 18 (2):113-114.
DOI: 10.4103/0972-5229.126087
License: CC BY-ND 3.0
Published Online: 01-12-2014
Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2014; The Author(s).
Methemoglobinemia is an altered state of hemoglobin resulting in impaired oxygen delivery to the tissues. Deliberate ingestion of certain insecticides and pesticides may result in this condition. We report a case of severe methemoglobinemia after deliberate ingestion of an insecticide marketed to be safe and containing only biological extracts and fillers. Methemoglobinemia should be suspected with low oxygen saturation on pulse oxymetry and the presence of chocolate colored blood. The methemoglobin level of 91% in our patient is the highest level reported among methemoglobinemia survivors.