Severe acute haemolytic anaemia associated with severe methaemoglobinaemia in a G6PD-deficient man

Authors

Abdul Rehman, Aga Khan University
Mohanad Shehadeh, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
Akhnuwhkh Jones, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar

Document Type

Article

Department

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Abstract

Methaemoglobin is a form of haemoglobin in which the ferrous (Fe²⁺) ion contained in the iron-porphyrin complex of haem is oxidised to its ferric (Fe³⁺) state. Methaemoglobinaemia, the presence of methaemoglobin in the blood, is most commonly treated with methylene blue. However, methylene blue cannot be used in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency as it is ineffective in such patients and it can worsen G6PD deficiency haemolysis. We report the case of a 30-year-old man who presented with clinical features of G6PD deficiency-associated haemolysis and was found to have severe methaemoglobinaemia (35%). He was administered blood transfusions and intravenous ascorbic acid. His methaemoglobinaemia resolved within 24 hours. This case demonstrates the successful management of a patient with severe methaemoglobinaemia in the setting of G6PD deficiency haemolysis. Emergency physicians should be aware of the possible co-occurrence of severe methaemoglobinaemia in a patient with G6PD deficiency haemolysis.

Comments

Abstract, volume, issue, and pagination are not provided by the author/publisher

Publication (Name of Journal)

BMJ Case Reports

Recommended Citation

Rehman, A., Shehadeh, M., Jones, A. (2018). Severe acute haemolytic anaemia associated with severe methaemoglobinaemia in a G6PD-deficient man. BMJ Case Reports.
Available at: https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_bbs/716