methemoglobinemia

noun

met·​he·​mo·​glo·​bi·​ne·​mia ˌmet-ˌhē-mə-ˌglō-bə-ˈnē-mē-ə 

: the presence of methemoglobin in the blood

Examples of methemoglobinemia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

New York City’s health department began distributing consumer warnings and issued a clinician advisory on methemoglobinemia in 2024. — Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Skunk spray contains compounds that, in rare cases, can cause serious red blood cell damage, including Heinz body anemia and methemoglobinemia. — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026

Cats are also very susceptible to acetaminophen (Tylenol) poisoning, which causes liver damage and impairs the ability of blood to carry oxygen (methemoglobinemia). — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

High levels of nitrite can cause methemoglobinemia, or blue baby syndrome, birth defects, and increase the risk of some cancers. — Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for methemoglobinemia

• hyperlipidemia
• hyperuricemia
• hypomagnesemia
• hypophosphatemia
• academia
• azotemia
• bacteremia
• hyperaemia
• hyperemia
• hypoxemia
• septicaemia
• septicemia

Medical Definition

methemoglobinemia

noun

met·​he·​mo·​glo·​bi·​ne·​mia

variants or chiefly British methaemoglobinaemia

ˌmet-ˌhē-mə-ˌglō-bə-ˈnē-mē-ə 

: the presence of methemoglobin in the blood due to conversion of part of the hemoglobin to this inactive form