Blood carboxyhaemoglobin per cent saturation in children

The carboxyhaemoglobin per cent saturation (COHb %) was determined in healthy non-smoking subjects, aged 5-37 years, in order to establish age-dependent reference values for COHb %. A gas chromatographic method using gaseous carbon monoxide (CO) as a standard was used to determine the CO content in blood. The mean COHb % for children below 15 years of age was significantly lower than for older children and adult men. The mean COHb % of children, aged 15-16 years, was significantly increased compared to adult men.