Human Health and Diseases Question 25
25. The ‘blue baby’ syndrome results from
[2006]
(a) methaemoglobin
(b) excess of dissolved oxygen
(c) excess of TDS (total dissolved solids)
(d) excess of chloride
Show Answer
Answer : a
Hints & Solutions
(a) Infant methemoglobinemia is also called “blue baby syndrome.” It is a condition where a baby’s skin turns blue. This happens when there is not enough oxygen in the blood. Methemoglobinemia is a condition that some babies are born with (congenital) or some develop early in life (acquired).
The most common cause of blue baby syndrome is water contaminated with nitrates. After a baby drinks formula made with nitrate-rich water, the body converts the nitrates into nitrites. These nitrites bind to the haemoglobin in the body, forming methemoglobin, which is unable to carry oxygen.
