Introduction:

Methemoglobin is a form of hemoglobin in which the heme group, usually in the ferrous form, is oxidized to the ferric form, which affects oxygen transport. The increase above the reference values ​​is called methemoglobinemia.

Objective:

To update concepts such as prevention, clinical manifestations, laboratory diagnosis and treatment of choice for this disease, with the information available from the last decade.

Methods:

A review of the literature in English and Spanish was carried out, through the PubMed website, the academic Google search engine and Scielo database, of articles published in the last 10 years. Search terms used included methemoglobinemia, cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency, cyanosis, and co-oximetry.

Analysis and synthesis of information:

Methemoglobinemia can be classified into congenital and acquired, the latter being the most common. It is important to diagnose this disease, which, although it is a rare condition, can cause serious complications, and even death, which are avoidable with early diagnosis and timely treatment that reduce the complications associated with this condition.

Conclusions:

The diagnosis and treatment, prophylactic and therapeutic, of methemoglobinemia, in its acute or maintenance stage, require adequate updating of the health professional.

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