Question

Blue-baby syndrome results from
(a)Excess of TDS
(b)Excess of chlorides
(c)Excess of dissolved oxygen
(d)Methaemoglobin

Answer 1

The blue baby syndrome causes the skin of babies to become bluish in appearance. Blue colored skin is normally seen in humans when there are low levels of ${ O }_{ 2 }$ in the blood (cyanosis).

Complete answer:
The blue baby syndrome also known as infant methemoglobinemia is defined as the changing of the skin color of babies to blue color due to low oxygen availability in their body. This low ${ O }_{ 2 }$ level in the body can happen due to many reasons. One of the main reasons is consuming water polluted with high nitrate content. These nitrates on entering the body change into nitrites which then bind to hemoglobin causing it to change into methemoglobin. This in turn causes a decrease in ${ O }_{ 2 }$ transportation throughout the body.
-Nitrate rich water is found in places where farming and cultivation takes place as the nitrates from the fertilizers used contaminate drinking water.
-Even though adults also drink this water, infants are more sensitive to this syndrome. That is why it is advised to not give water from a well to infants for at least 1 year.
-Any structural deformity in the heart of babies results in less ${ O }_{ 2 }$ being transported through the blood as the heart is not pumping efficiently. This too will result in blue baby syndrome.
So, the correct answer is ‘Methaemoglobin’.

Note: -Blue baby syndrome can be treated easily when detected early by supplying the baby with ${ O }_{ 2 }$. But if left untreated can become life-threatening as well.
-The blue color change in color usually appears at the thin layers of skins such as lips, earlobes, nails, etc.
-According to the United Nations, blue baby syndrome that is caused by nitrate consumption comes under water-related diseases.