Evaluation of neurological and cardiological findings in carbonmonoxide poisoning in children.

AIM: The aim of our study was to investigate the relation of blood carboxyhemoglobin level with presentation finding and clinical properties and to demonstrate neurological and cardiological findings which are indicators of tissue hypoxia in patients followed up because of carbonmonoxide (CO) poisoning.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three hundred and twenty-five patients who were followed up because of carbonmonoxide poisoning between 2011 and 2013 in our pediatric emergency department were evaluated prospectively. Ethics committee approval was obtained for the study on 10.19.2011 (number: 0437). The carbonmonoxide levels, source of intoxication, neurological and cardiological findings and treatment methods were recorded. Blood gases and cardiac enzymes were studied and electrocardiography (ECG) was performed. The data were analysed using SPSS for windows 16.0 package program.

RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-eight (51.7%) of the patients were female and the median age was 9 years (11 days-17 years). Two hundred and twenty-eight (70.2%) of the patients were poisoned while using heater and 78.1% presented during winter months. The median carbonmonoxide level of the patients was found to be 24.8%. Cardiac enzymes were found to be increased in 10.5% of the patients, first degree A-V block was found in 0.6% and negative T wave was found in 0.3%. Glasgow coma score was found to be below 14 in 4.6% of the patients. A significant correlation was found between the carboxyhemoglobin levels and neurological findings, cardiological findings and lactate (p<0.05). Normobaric oxygen treatment was given to 76.3% of the patients and hyperbaric oxygen treatment was given to 23.7%.

CONCLUSIONS: We think that neurological disorders and cardiac findings may be closely related, since systemic involvement may be easier in carbonmonoxide poisoning in children, Glasgow coma score should be assessed in the follow-up of the patients and cardiac enzymes and serum lactate levels should be monitored closely from the time of presentation.