What could cause Methemoglobinemia in infants?

Methemoglobinemia in infants, often referred to as "blue baby syndrome," can be caused by the ingestion of high levels of nitrates, particularly from contaminated drinking water. Nitrates convert to nitrites in the body, which can interfere with the normal function of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, and when nitrites are present, they can oxidize the iron in hemoglobin, forming methemoglobin. This altered form of hemoglobin cannot effectively transport oxygen, leading to symptoms like cyanosis, where the infant's skin appears bluish due to insufficient oxygen levels.

Infants, especially those under six months of age, are particularly vulnerable because their digestive systems are still maturing, and they cannot efficiently process nitrites. As a result, the presence of nitrates in drinking water is a significant public health concern in certain agricultural areas where fertilizer run-off may lead to increased nitrate levels in the water supply.