Journal of Pediatric Health Care
Volume 22, Issue 6 , Pages 335-339 , November 2008

Topical Benzocaine-induced Methemoglobinemia in the Pediatric Population

  • Tsz-Yin So, PharmD

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence: Tsz-Yin So, PharmD, University of North Carolina Hospitals, Department of Pharmacy, CB 7600, 101 Manning Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.
    • ,
  • Elizabeth Farrington, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS, FCCM

References 

  1. Abu-Laban RB, Zed PJ, Purssell RA, Evans KG. Severe methemoglobinemia from topical anesthetic spray: Case report, discussion and qualitative systemic review. Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2001;3:51–56
  2. Birchem SK. Benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia during transesophageal echocardiography. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 2005;105:381–384
  3. Clifton J, Leikin JB. Methylene blue. American Journal of Therapeutics. 2003;10:289–291
  4. Dahshan A, Donovan GK. Severe methemoglobinemia complicating topical benzocaine use during endoscopy in a toddler: A case report and review of the literature. Pediatrics. 2006;117:e806–e809
  5. Darracq MA, Daubert GP. A cyanotic toddler. Pediatric Emergency Care. 2007;23:195–199
  6. Hegedus F, Herb K. Benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia. Anesthesia Progress. 2005;52:136–139
  7. Lexi-Comp. (2008, January 12). Retrieved January 12, 2008, from http://online.lexi.com/crlsql/servlet/crlonline
  8. Logan BK, Gordon AM. Death of an infant involving benzocaine. Journal of Forensic Science. 2005;50:1486–1488
  9. Naranjo CA, Busto U, Sellers EM, Sandor P, Ruiz I, Roberts EA, et al. A method to estimate the probability of adverse drug reactions. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 1981;30:239–245
  10. Nguyen ST, Cabrales RE, Bashour CA, Rosenberger TE, Michener JA, Yared J, et al. Benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia. Anesthesia & Analgesia. 2000;90:369–371
  11. Udeh C, Bittikofer J, Sum-Ping STJ. Severe methemoglobinemia on re-exposure to benzocaine. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia. 2001;13:128–130
  12. Wright RO, Lewander WJ, Woolf AD. Methemoglobinemia: Etiology, pharmacology, and clinical management. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 1999;34:646–656

PII: S0891-5245(08)00271-X

doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2008.08.008

Journal of Pediatric Health Care
Volume 22, Issue 6 , Pages 335-339 , November 2008

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