Methemoglobinemia in a 14-year-old girl with new-onset dyspnea

Abstract

Methemoglobinemia is a rare and potentially life-threatening medical emergency that can be overlooked when evaluating a patient in respiratory distress. Without early recognition, patients may develop respiratory failure and die. This article describes a teenager who presented to the ED for dyspnea and lightheadedness and failed to respond to supplemental oxygen. She was eventually diagnosed with methemoglobinemia.