Methemoglobin level in infants and its relation to nitrate content in drinking water

ABSTRACT

Methemoglobin level in various infant age groups was determined Infant [1-18 months of age] living in Al-Haram area with a nitrate concentration in drinking water up to 65mg/L [as NO3-N] were examined for their methemoglobin level. Their methemoglobin levels ranged from 2.23% -10.33% of their total hemoglobin, compared to 0.35% -1.85% in case of controls.The increase in methemoglobin was associated with a low hemoglobin level. This was more prominent in infants under 6 months of age. Significant decrease in methemoglobin levels were noticed after administration of Vitamin C