Blue Boys
Blue Boys
Blue Boys (/bluː bɔɪz/) is a term used in the medical field to refer to a group of conditions that cause a bluish discoloration of the skin, particularly in infants and young children. The term is not officially recognized in medical literature but is often used colloquially among healthcare professionals.
Etymology
The term "Blue Boys" is derived from the characteristic bluish coloration of the skin seen in these conditions. The word "blue" comes from the Old English blǣwen, which means "bright, shining, flashing, or fiery," while "boys" is a reference to the fact that these conditions often affect male infants and children.
Conditions
The conditions that fall under the umbrella of "Blue Boys" include:
- Cyanosis: A condition that causes the skin, lips, and nails to turn a bluish color due to low levels of oxygen in the blood.
- Methemoglobinemia: A disorder characterized by the presence of a higher than normal level of methemoglobin (a form of hemoglobin) in the blood, which results in a bluish coloration of the skin.
- Blue baby syndrome: A condition that occurs when an infant's skin turns blue due to a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream.
Related Terms
- Hypoxia: A condition in which the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the tissue level.
- Polycythemia: A condition in which there is a net increase in the total circulating erythrocyte (red blood cell) mass of the body.
- Hemoglobin: The iron-containing oxygen-transport metalloprotein in the red blood cells of all vertebrates.
See Also
- Blue skin: A term used to describe a skin color that is abnormally blue or purple.
- Cyanotic heart disease: A group of many different heart defects that are present at birth (congenital).
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blue Boys
- Wikipedia's article - Blue Boys
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