sentence: Nitrites are similar to nitrates.
sentences_before: Blue Baby Syndrome' is an illness. It is also called 'methemoglobinemia'. It begins when a baby drinks water that has a lot of nitrates in it. The baby's digestive system changes the nitrates into nitrites.
sentences_after: This reaction creates metheglobin, which cannot carry oxygen. This is a problem, because every part of the body needs oxygen to be healthy and to stay alive. If enough metheglobin is formed in the blood, body tissues may not get enough oxygen. This causes the infant's mucous membranes to become blue in color. The baby may have problems with his digestive system, which is in charge of digesting food and getting nutrition out of the food.
concept_name: nitrite
headings: Blue-baby syndrome
categories: Syndromes