This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Philip L. Townes, MD, PhD; Martin A. Geertsma, MD; Marie R. White

Am J Dis Child. 1977;131(6):697-698.

Abstract
• Severe methemoglobinemia developed in a healthy 14-month-old infant following the topical application of a benzocaine-containing gel administered for the relief of the discomfort of teething.

Congenital methemoglobinemia and hemoglobin M disease were excluded by appropriate laboratory studies. The patient is considered to have a normal methemoglobin-reducing capacity and her response to the drug is one that presumably could occur in any other child of comparable age on receiving an equivalent dose of benzocaine. Parents should be cautioned against the indiscriminate use of similar medications, particularly since the process for which these medications are administered is both benign and physiologic.

(Am J Dis Child 131:697-698, 1977)

Author Affiliations
From the Division of Genetics and the Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Division of Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642 (Dr Townes).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Common Pediatric Dental Dilemmas
Nield et al.
CLIN PEDIATR 2008;47:99-105.
 

Methemoglobinemia Owing to Rectal-Probe Lubrication
SHERMAN and SMITH
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1979;133:439-440.
ABSTRACT