Methemoglobinemia After Prilocaine Application During Neonatal Circumcision and Treatment with Ascorbic Acid

Methemoglobinemia occurs when the hemoglobin molecule is oxidized from the normal ferrous state to the ferric state. Rarely, it may be a congenital condition (methemoglobin-reductase deficiency), but more frequently it is a result of oxidant exposure. Among the large number of agents that can cause acquired methemoglobinemia is prilocaine, commonly used for local anesthesia during circumcision. Methylene blue is known to be the best treatment option; however it is not always available, and there is no universally accepted alternative. Vitamin C has been reported as an alternative treatment in recent years, but there is no definitive information about efficacy, dose, and renal side effects at high doses. Presently described is the case of an infant who developed cyanosis after a local application of prilocaine during circumcision who was successfully treated with the intravenous administration of vitamin C.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

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