Methaemoglobinemia in pregnancy: Case series and literature review

Abstract

Background: Methaemoglobinemia is a rare disease complicating pregnancy and often diagnosed for the first time in perioperative or peripartum setting. Aim: To analyse the type of methaemoglobinemia, clinical presentation and pregnancy outcomes in our series of pregnant women with methaemoglobinemia. Methods: This is a single centre retrospective study of patients with methaemoglobinemia admitted between 2003 and 2015. Results: We had six pregnant women with methaemoglobinemia during the study period. Three women had congenital methaemoglobinemia and three of them had acquired methaemoglobinemia. Obstetric and foetal outcomes were good. Conclusion: Congenital methaemoglobinemia is reasonably well tolerated in pregnancy. With proper counselling, follow-up, avoidance of drugs associated with methaemoglobinemia and prompt diagnosis and management especially in cases of acquired methaemoglobinemia, we can achieve good pregnancy outcomes.

Keywords

• acquired
• case series
• congenital
• methaemoglobinemia
• pregnancy