Abstract

ORDUZ-ILLIDGE, Carolina et al. Unusual cause of cyanosis in the newborn: hemoglobin M. Acta méd. costarric [online]. 2023, vol.65, n.1, pp.37-41. ISSN 0001-6002.  http://dx.doi.org/10.51481/amc.v65i1.1269.

Hemoglobin M is a rare hereditary disorder that causes ethemoglobinemia and therefore cyanosis. The clinical manifestations of this condition differs considerably, so it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in a newborn with cyanosis, with no other apparent cause. The case of a 5 hours old newborn is presented below, with generalized cyanosis from birth with oxygen saturations between 60-70%, in whom, upon ruling out pathologies such as perinatal hypoxia, pulmonary disease, heart disease and sepsis, a high level of methemoglobin is documented, reported in 21,6%; the diagnosis of methemoglobinemia was established. The treatment administered was two doses of methylene blue with no response. For this reason, hemoglobin electrophoresis was performed, which was compatible with Hemoglobin M (Iwate or Kankakee), confirming its congenital cause.

Keywords : cyanosis; methemoglobin; hemoglobin M.

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