[Carbon monoxide poisoning].
OBJECTIVE
To describe epidemiological and clinical data from a series of children hospitalized for acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.


METHODS
We reviewed the medical records of children admitted to the Pediatrics Department of the Hospital Clinico Universitario de Zaragoza with acute CO poisoning from 1993 to 2003. All the children were clinically monitored and venous blood levels of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) were determined.


RESULTS
There were 14 patients (seven boys and seven girls) aged 1.3 to 13.8 years (mean age: 8.2 years; SD: 3.9). The peak incidence was in the winter months (seven cases in December). All poisonings took place in poorly ventilated rooms and were produced by gas inhalation due to incomplete combustion of organic fuels (charcoal, propane and butane). Clinical symptoms were gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain) and neurologic (dizziness, headache and alterations in level of consciousness). COHb levels in blood were elevated (from 4.8% to 27.6% in the first determination). Outcome was favorable in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite environmental improvements introduced in the last few years, CO poisoning is highly frequent in our environment and children are at higher risk. The best preventive measure is proper adjustment of gas appliances.
Fleta Zaragozano
J
J
Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico Universitario, 50009 Zaragoza, España. jfleta@unizar.es
Fons Estupiñá
C
C
Arnauda Espatolero
P
P
Ferrer Dufol
A
A
Olivares López
J L
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male