Carbon Monoxide Intoxication in Children

Abstract

Carbon monoxide poisoning is currently a danger of ill-defined proportions in the pediatric population. A patient with possible residual neurologic effects from carbon monoxide as well as a retrospective study of pediatric patients with acute diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning has been presented. Although it has been impossible to conclude from these cases alone that carbon monoxide can produce residual neurological injury in children, evidence to support this concern can be found in the data presented and existing literature. First, the acute manifestations of carbon monoxide poisoning in the children are similar to those reported for adults who are known to suffer from residual neurological effects. Second, experimental studies in neonatal animals have produced effects which persist several weeks to months after the acute exposure to carbon monoxide. More information is needed regarding the long-term effects of carbon monoxide on the pediatric population. It may be totally inappropriate to establish "safe carbon monoxide levels" for children on the basis of experience from adult exposure.