title: [Exposure to carbon monoxide toxicity as a cause for hospitalization of patients in the Children's Clinical Hospital in Lublin in the years 2006-2012].
abstract: Exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) accounts for a frequent cause for patient hospitalization in the Children's Clinical Hospital (DSK). The most common source of exposure includes the use of defective heating appliances operating on gas or coal and less frequently the fire toxic fumes. The purpose of the present study was to estimate the number of hospitalized patients in DSK in Lublin between the years 2006-2012 according to age, sex, urban-rural residence, season, carboxyheamoglobin (COHb) levels and hospitalization period. The subjects were assigned to three age groups: I - neonates and infants, II - children from 1 to 6 years of age, III - children aged between 7 to 17 years. In total 99 patients (50 female, 49 male) were admitted to hospital on account of carbon monoxide intoxication. Children aged 6 years and above constituted the most numerous age group. Furthermore 1 neonate and 5 infants (6.1%) and 43 children aged 1 to 6 years (43.4%) were hospitalized. The intoxications were visibly season-related. The highest frequency of CO poisoning lasted from October until March. The largest incidence was recorded in December and January. The majority of the children were urban residents - 67%, 33% were from rural areas. Carboxyhaemoglobin levels upon admission ranged from 0 to 26.7%. The average hospitalization lasted 2.4 days. Carbon monoxide intoxication remains a pressing health concern. The awareness of CO intoxication hazards among general public, application of appropriate first aid techniques, identification of clinical symptoms and treatment methods present the opportunity to save lives and reduce the long-term effects of CO poisoning.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Propedeutyki Pediatrii, Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Lublinie. szponar.ela@gmail.com
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Szponar
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szponar
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kulik-Rechberger
authors.forename: Grazyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Polkowska
authors.forename: Artur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kościesza
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Billewicz-Kraczkowska
authors.forename: Wanda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Furmaga-Jabłońska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000633:toxicity*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006361:Heating / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D002248:Carbon Monoxide