Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation
  • Published:

Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation

Perinatal Toxicity of Domestic Naphthalene Exposure

Journal of Perinatology volume 24, pages 792–793 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Naphthalene-containing mothballs can cause methemoglobinemia on inhalation. We describe a mother with hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia associated with elevated levels of naphthalene following exposure to mothballs. Her newborn infant had identical symptoms requiring mechanical ventilation and an exchange transfusion for resolution.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Curry S . Methemoglobinemia. Ann Emerg Med 1982;11:214–221.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Delwood L, O'Flaherty D, Pregean EJ, Giesecke AH . Methemoglobinemia and its effect on pulse oximetry. Crit Care Med 1991;19:988.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. The Neonatal Inhaled Nitric Oxide Study Group. Inhaled nitric oxide in full-term and nearly full-term infants with hypoxic respiratory failure. N Engl J Med 1997;336:597–604.

  4. Kravitz W, Elegant LD, Kaiser E, Kagan BM . Methemoglobin values in premature and mature infants and children. Am J Dis Child 1956;91:1.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Anziulewicz JA, Dick HJ, Chiarulli EE . Transplacental naphthalene poisoning. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1959;78:519–521.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Valaes T, Psyros AD, Phaedron F . Acute hemolysis due to naphthalene inhalation. J Pediatr 1963;63:904–915.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Eleanor J Molloy MB, PhD, Benedict A Doctor MD, Michael D Reed PharmD & Michele C Walsh MD

Authors
  1. Eleanor J Molloy MB, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Benedict A Doctor MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Michael D Reed PharmD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Michele C Walsh MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Molloy, E., Doctor, B., Reed, M. et al. Perinatal Toxicity of Domestic Naphthalene Exposure. J Perinatol 24, 792–793 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211195

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211195

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links