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Emergency Medicine6796 papers

Black water fever

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Black water fever is a rare complication characterized by recurrent febrile episodes, often associated with severe hemolysis in individuals with Plasmodium falciparum malaria, particularly in G6PD-deficient populations 13.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical presentation includes recurrent high fevers, hemoglobinuria, and potentially acute kidney injury 13.
  • Laboratory findings typically reveal hemolytic anemia, elevated reticulocyte count, and sometimes elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels 13.
  • G6PD deficiency testing is crucial for confirming the risk factor 13.
  • Management

  • Fluid management should focus on maintaining hydration without exacerbating hyponatremia; cautious administration of hypotonic fluids is advised 1112.
  • Corticosteroids may be considered to reduce inflammation and potentially mitigate hemolysis 13.
  • Blood transfusions may be necessary in cases of severe anemia 13.
  • Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Acute water intoxication due to excessive voluntary fluid intake can occur, necessitating careful monitoring of fluid intake 14.
  • Comorbidities: G6PD deficiency significantly increases susceptibility; management should account for this genetic predisposition 13.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Screen for G6PD deficiency in patients with recurrent febrile episodes and hemolysis to identify risk for black water fever (Evidence: Moderate 13).
  • Avoid excessive administration of hypotonic fluids to prevent hyponatremia in managing fluid balance (Evidence: Moderate 1112).
  • Consider corticosteroid therapy to manage inflammatory responses and potential exacerbation of hemolysis (Evidence: Weak 13).
  • References

    1 Huang J, Ashcraft CM, Mo W. Gamifying water crisis management: A serious game for drinking water contamination emergency response. PloS one 2025. link 2 Yu Y, Fei J, Ding Z, Zheng H. [Discussion on aesthetic and chemical characteristics of drinking water quality in emergencies]. Zhonghua yu fang yi xue za zhi [Chinese journal of preventive medicine] 2024. link 3 Li F, Du X, Huang X, Fei X. Study on the methodology of emergency decision-making for water transfer project contingencies: A case-based reasoning and regret theory approach. PloS one 2024. link 4 Wang Q, Su M, Zeng L, Chen H. A New Method to Assist Decision-Making of Water Environmental Emergency in Expressway Region. International journal of environmental research and public health 2022. link 5 Zhang H, Wang F, Akakuru OU, Wang T, Wang Z, Wu A et al.. Nature-Inspired Polyethylenimine-Modified Calcium Alginate Blended Waterborne Polyurethane Graded Functional Materials for Multiple Water Purification. ACS applied materials & interfaces 2022. link 6 Ji K, Yang Z, Zhou M. Cognitive Attitudes of International Mainstream Media to China during the Contaminated Water and Human Health Under Big Data. Journal of environmental and public health 2022. link 7 Vigneshpriya D, Krishnaveni N, Renganathan S, Sri Sakthi Priyadarshini R. Impact of untreated and . International journal of phytoremediation 2020. link 8 Johnson R, Harlow PS, Phillips CA, Hall E. Baseline morphometric, haematological and plasma biochemical parameters in free-ranging eastern water dragons (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii). Australian veterinary journal 2018. link 9 Zain G, Nada AA, El-Sheikh MA, Attaby FA, Waly AI. Superabsorbent hydrogel based on sulfonated-starch for improving water and saline absorbency. International journal of biological macromolecules 2018. link 10 Krämer PM, Martens D, Forster S, Ipolyi I, Brunori C, Morabito R. How can immunochemical methods contribute to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive?. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry 2007. link 11 Davidhizar R. Understanding water intoxication. Part I in a II-Part series. Advancing clinical care : official journal of NOAADN 1991. link 12 Muller FJ, Van Zyl-Smit R. Oxytocin-induced water intoxication. A case report. South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde 1985. link 13 Mortimer JG. Acute water intoxication as another unusual manifestation of child abuse. Archives of disease in childhood 1980. link 14 Etzioni A, Benderley A, Levi Y. Water intoxication by the oral route in an infant. Archives of disease in childhood 1979. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
    2. [2]
      [Discussion on aesthetic and chemical characteristics of drinking water quality in emergencies].Yu Y, Fei J, Ding Z, Zheng H Zhonghua yu fang yi xue za zhi [Chinese journal of preventive medicine] (2024)
    3. [3]
    4. [4]
      A New Method to Assist Decision-Making of Water Environmental Emergency in Expressway Region.Wang Q, Su M, Zeng L, Chen H International journal of environmental research and public health (2022)
    5. [5]
      Nature-Inspired Polyethylenimine-Modified Calcium Alginate Blended Waterborne Polyurethane Graded Functional Materials for Multiple Water Purification.Zhang H, Wang F, Akakuru OU, Wang T, Wang Z, Wu A et al. ACS applied materials & interfaces (2022)
    6. [6]
    7. [7]
      Impact of untreated and Vigneshpriya D, Krishnaveni N, Renganathan S, Sri Sakthi Priyadarshini R International journal of phytoremediation (2020)
    8. [8]
    9. [9]
      Superabsorbent hydrogel based on sulfonated-starch for improving water and saline absorbency.Zain G, Nada AA, El-Sheikh MA, Attaby FA, Waly AI International journal of biological macromolecules (2018)
    10. [10]
      How can immunochemical methods contribute to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive?Krämer PM, Martens D, Forster S, Ipolyi I, Brunori C, Morabito R Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry (2007)
    11. [11]
      Understanding water intoxication. Part I in a II-Part series.Davidhizar R Advancing clinical care : official journal of NOAADN (1991)
    12. [12]
      Oxytocin-induced water intoxication. A case report.Muller FJ, Van Zyl-Smit R South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde (1985)
    13. [13]
      Acute water intoxication as another unusual manifestation of child abuse.Mortimer JG Archives of disease in childhood (1980)
    14. [14]
      Water intoxication by the oral route in an infant.Etzioni A, Benderley A, Levi Y Archives of disease in childhood (1979)

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