Carbon monoxide poisoning in children – own observations

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Carbon monoxide poisoning in children – own observations

Journal Title: Postępy Nauk Medycznych - Year 2013, Vol 26, Issue 7

Abstract

Introduction. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced at an incomplete combustion of carbonaceous compounds. CO inhalation is the most common cause of poisoning in the industrialized world.Aim. Analysis of epidemiological and clinical data of children hospitalized due to carbon monoxide poisoning.Material and methods. The medical records of 36 consecutive children aged between 8 months and 18 years (average 7 years 8 months) admitted to the Department of Pediatrics in Warsaw from January 2003 through October 2012 with CO poisoning were reviewed.Results. Of these 36 cases, 22 (61%) were caused by a faulty gas heater, 7 (19.5%) by a fire, 6 (16.7%) by faulty ventilation, and in one case (2.8%) it was not possible to determine the cause. In 12 (33.3%) children no symptoms were observed, while in certain children a number of symptoms was present. Most frequently, in as many as half of the cases, the symptoms were drowsiness/lethargy, followed by headache, syncope, vomiting and nausea. The carboksyhemoglobin (COHb) levels in all children ranged from 2.0 to 33.1% (average 13.3%). In 9 (25%) children it was necessary to administer HBO treatment. In this group, the COHb levels ranged from 11.0 to 33.1% (average 25.3%). Abnormal results of laboratory tests occurred in 3 children with COHb levels of 11%, 20% and 30.6%. In all of them it was an elevation of CK-MB, to the level of 2.38, 11.94 and 2.8 ng/ml respectively.Conclusions. Carbon monoxide poisonings are most common in the autumn-winter period. This type of poisoning can be confirmed by determining the carboksyhemoglobin level. Overall, the range of the COHb levels was relatively broad and showed no relationship with the symptoms. The most important intervention is to provide the victim adequate treatment, in the form normobaric oxygen or hyperbaric therapy.

Authors and Affiliations

Teresa Jackowska, Małgorzata Nieścior, Monika Grzelczyk

Keywords

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EP ID EP54759
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