Abstract

BRANCO, Rute Isabel; SANTOS, Nelson  and  FERREIRA, Ana Paula. Unexpected chronic methemoglobinemia diagnosis in a pregnant patient in labor. Acta Obstet Ginecol Port [online]. 2022, vol.16, n.2, pp.150-154.  Epub June 30, 2022. ISSN 1646-5830.

Methemoglobinemia is a rare hemoglobinopathy which can complicate pregnancy. The obstetric and anesthetic management of methemoglobin pregnant patients is poorly described. We report a case of a 24-year-old patient admitted in labor, with noticeable cyanosis but no respiratory distress. Oxygen saturation was 86%, remaining unaltered after oxygen therapy. Arterial blood gas showed normoxemia and 24,4% methemoglobin. Efforts were directed at limiting the physiologic stress and oxygen consumption, initiating epidural labor analgesia, and performing a vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery. Mo-ther and baby were discharged after an uneventful hospital stay. The etiologic investigation of cyanosis in this patient revealed this rare hemoglobinopathy.

Keywords : Cyanosis; Methemoglobinemia; Pregnancy.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in English     · English ( pdf )