• J Pediatr Health Care · Nov 2008

    Case Reports

    Topical benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia in the pediatric population.

    • Tsz-Yin So and Elizabeth Farrington.
    • University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA. jso@unch.unc.edu
    • J Pediatr Health Care. 2008 Nov 1;22(6):335-9; quiz 340-1.

    AbstractTopical benzocaine is an anesthetic agent that is often used before procedures and clinical tests, such as esophagoscopy, bronchoscopy, and endotracheal intubation. However, a potential deadly condition known as methemoglobinemia can occur with this agent. It causes the oxidation of hemoglobin to methemoglobinemia to occur more rapidly than the reduction of methemoglobin back to hemoglobin. Certain congenital and clinical conditions that affect oxygen delivery can increase the patient's risk of having methemoglobinemia develop with the use of benzocaine. Topical benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia can occur in the pediatric population. Prompt management with intravenous methylene blue should be initiated for reversal.

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