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HEINZ BODY HAEMOLYTIC ANAEMIA AFTER SNIFFING VOLATILE NITRITES
Author(s) -
Romeril K. R.,
Concan A. J.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1981.tb135582.x
Subject(s) - sniffing , methemoglobin , heinz body , oxidizing agent , amyl nitrite , nitrite , medicine , chemistry , hemoglobin , organic chemistry , nitrate , anatomy
Two cases are reported of Heinz body haemolytic anaemia after the sniffing of amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite for protracted periods. Nitrites are powerful oxidizing agents which are recognized to cause haemoglobin to be oxidized to methaemoglobin. One patient developed a symptomatic anaemia and also splenomegaly. Other possible causes of Heinz body formation were ruled out by the appropriate tests.