What was the source of a recent methemoglobinemia outbreak in a neonatal ICU and maternity ward?
Nitrite. A damaged valve lead to back-flow of water from the hospital heating system, containing an anticorrosion agent, into the hospital drinking and medical supply water. No adult patient developed methemoglobinemia.
Takahashi, S., Ishige, T. & Takizawa, T. Methemoglobinemia Outbreak in a Neonatal ICU and Maternity Ward. N. Engl. J. Med. 389, 2395–2397 (2023)
Contributed by Lauren Murphy, MD
Posted in Question Of The Day