The cause of death of a 9-year-old girl who tragically passed away following a dental procedure has been revealed.
Silvanna Moreno, a healthy third grader from San Diego, unexpectedly died on March 18 just hours after undergoing a dental procedure at Dreamtime Dentistry in Vista, California.
The cause — according to an autopsy report from the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office — was a rare but serious reaction to anesthesia known as methemoglobinemia, brought on in the setting of recent nitrous oxide administration, a standard part of pediatric sedation dentistry.
The child’s death has been ruled accidental, but new details continue to raise questions about her final hours and the medical protocols, risk assessment standards, and informed consent practices followed by the dental team responsible for her care, PEOPLE reports.
What Is Methemoglobinemia?
Methemoglobinemia is a rare blood disorder that limits the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen, leading to potentially fatal outcomes. Symptoms often include bluish skin, lips, or fingernails. According to the Cleveland Clinic, while the condition can be inherited, it is usually acquired through exposure to certain medications, chemicals, or recreational drugs.
