A 2-year-old boy was brought to the emergency when his mother noticed that he had developed dusky appearance and lethargy over the past 6-8 hours. The child had been prescribed some medicine for vomiting by a local practitioner. Examination revealed normal sized pupils reacting to light, GCS 9, and shallow breathing with cyanosis. Arterial blood gas revealed a PaO2 of 80 mmHg and SpO2 of 60%. Which one of the following drugs may be implicated?
Metoclopramide
The dissociation between a normal-to-high PaO2 (80 mmHg) and a very low SpO2 (60%), together with dusky (cyanotic) appearance and lethargy, is classic for methemoglobinemia, where hemoglobin cannot bind oxygen despite adequate PaO2. Metoclopramide, an antiemetic commonly misused in young children, is a well-recognized cause of drug-induced methemoglobinemia, especially in infants and toddlers.
Similar Questions
A 12-year-old boy is brought to the emergency in an unconscious state with a history of shallow breathing and increasing drowsiness noticed for two hours. He is noticed to have a dry mouth, cold extremities, is limp and has pin point pupils. The emergency physician suspects poisoning. Which one of the following antidotes should be administered?
Important Questions from Childhood Injuries and Poisoning
An 8 year old child has consumed a few tablets of a drug that were being taken by his motheron a regular basis. Following this the child develops gastric necrosis, acidosis, shock and hepatic necrosis. Which is the most likely drug?
In a child with acute organophosphorus poisoning, which one of the following drugs will act as anti-sialogogue and peripheral parasympatholytic agent?
- Gastric lavage is contraindicated in which of the following?
1. Corrosive poisoning
2. Organophosphorus poisoning
3. Iron intoxication
4. Turpentine oil ingestion
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: In which one of the following age groups is the highest rate of drowning observed, worldwide?
- Which one of the following is used to estimate the surface area of burn injuries in children less than 15 years of age?
