Analysis of the features of acute carbon monoxide poisoning and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in children

YARAR C., Yakut A., Akin A., Yildiz B., DİNLEYİCİ E. Ç.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS, cilt.50, sa.3, ss.235-241, 2008 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 50 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2008
  • Dergi Adı: TURKISH JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.235-241
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: carbon monoxide poisoning, children, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, delayed neurologic sequelae, FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS, CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN LEVELS, NORMOBARIC OXYGEN, CHILDHOOD, DEATHS
  • Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The aim of this study was to make a retrospective descriptive analysis of the features of children with acute carbon monoxide poisoning (COP). We evaluated 74 children (43 girls, 31 boys; age range 1 to 17.8 years) who were consecutively admitted to our emergency unit and hospitalized with accidental acute COP between June 2003 and June 2005. All patients received normobaric oxygen therapy until their carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels were decreased below 2% and their symptoms resolved. Thirty-eight of 74 patients (51.4%) also received hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy as indicated by signs and symptoms or COHb levels. COHb levels were significantly higher and hospitalization period was longer in the children who had abnormal neurological findings (p < 0.05 for both). All patients showed complete recovery without neurological sequelae except one who had visual impairment at discharge, and antiepileptic therapy was started because of epilepsy after seven months. Acute COP is an important health problem in our country, especially in winter, because of poorly functioning heating systems. The clinical spectrum including neurological findings varies during childhood. We suggest that HBO therapy could be used safely in children.