Correct option is C
Methemoglobinemia, commonly referred to as "blue baby syndrome," is a medical condition caused by elevated levels of methemoglobin in the blood. Methemoglobin is a form of hemoglobin that is unable to bind oxygen effectively, resulting in reduced oxygen delivery to the tissues.
This condition is commonly associated with
nitrate contamination in drinking water. When infants consume water or formula mixed with nitrate-contaminated water, the nitrate is converted into nitrite in the body. Nitrite reacts with hemoglobin to form methemoglobin, which cannot carry oxygen efficiently. As a result, the skin of affected infants can take on a bluish tint due to the lack of oxygen, hence the term "blue baby syndrome."
Nitrate contamination often comes from agricultural runoff, including fertilizers and animal waste, which seep into groundwater. The condition is most prevalent in rural areas where groundwater is used for drinking without proper treatment.
