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Updated: Aug 1, 2026

Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department
Published on: January 29, 2011
[Carbon monoxide poisoning]
J Fleta Zaragozano1, C Fons Estupiñá, P Arnauda Espatolero
1Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico Universitario, 50009 Zaragoza, España. jfleta@unizar.es
Insights
Acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is frequent in children, especially during winter. Proper adjustment of gas appliances is crucial for preventing this dangerous condition.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Public Health
Context:
- Acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning poses a significant risk to children.
- Incomplete combustion of organic fuels in poorly ventilated spaces is a common cause.
- Winter months show a peak incidence of CO poisoning cases.
Purpose:
- To document the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pediatric CO poisoning.
- To analyze patient data from a 10-year period (1993-2003).
- To identify risk factors and outcomes in children hospitalized for CO poisoning.
Summary:
- A series of 14 children (ages 1.3-13.8 years) were hospitalized for acute CO poisoning.
- Symptoms included gastrointestinal and neurological issues, with elevated carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels.
- All poisonings occurred in poorly ventilated rooms due to faulty gas appliances.
Impact:
- Children remain at high risk for CO poisoning despite environmental improvements.
- Effective prevention strategies are essential, particularly proper maintenance of gas appliances.
- This study highlights the ongoing need for public awareness and safety measures regarding CO exposure.
Objective:
To describe epidemiological and clinical data from a series of children hospitalized for acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Patients And 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.
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