Predictors of methanol intoxication with unfavourable outcome

In 10 adult patients acutely intoxicated with methanol, the base deficit and the total blood CO2 were highly correlated with blood formate level. No correlation was found between the same parameters and blood methanol level. Formate production is the main cause of acidosis in the early stages of methanol poisoning. The association of a latency period before treatment exceeding 10 hours and a blood formate level above 0.5 g/l (11.1 mmol/l) is predictive of severe methanol poisoning possibly leading to permanent sequelae.