Methemoglobinemia or the blue baby syndrome affects infants. Their blood is not able to carry sufficient oxygen to all of the body cells and body tissues. This condition is caused by an increase in the amount of methemoglobin within the blood that circulates. This is an enzyme that the body continually produces and it does not carry oxygen. Although it is converted into hemoglobin which can carry oxygen, it needs methemoglobin reductase to do that. Most infants do not have enough of this reductase so an excess in methemoglobin may occur which can be fatal especially when it is not treated as soon as possible.
The baby blue syndrome may be caused by too much nitrates contained in drinking water. The substance goes into the digestive system and then may be absorbed into the blood stream. The nitrates then react to the hemoglobin which could result to high levels of methemoglobin. This can affect the tissues and the organs of infants especially when there is not much oxygen delivered. The infants develop some sort of a bluish coloring because of the deprivation of oxygen for an extended period of time which may have caused respiratory and digestive problems as well.
Other causes of this condition among babies may include congenital heart defects. There are also times when there are underlying causes which may not have been diagnosed correctly. Infants may undergo medication as well as careful monitoring or they may have to undergo open heart surgery. Some causes may be prevented like making sure that the drinking water is safe especially for babies under six months old. Parents can monitor the nitrate contents of their drinking water at home. Infants with congenital disorders may undergo treatment right after birth. Invasive cardiac surgeries though are only done when it is really necessary.
Treatment for blue baby syndrome is now available unlike before where infants have to die or suffer from it. Proper pre-natal care is important not only for monitoring the health of the mother but of the baby as well. Parents may not be able to detect right away if their babies are suffering from this problem because most likely, the bluish color may appear only when there is some physical exertion such as crying. Some congenial heart defects may also be observed when the babies are a little older. It is then necessary for parents especially for mothers to be observant about their infants while they are growing so it would be possible to treat the problem as early as possible.
