Carbon monoxide poisoning--a public health perspective.
نویسندگان
چکیده
Carbon monoxide (CO) may be the cause of more than one-half of the fatal poisonings reported in many countries; fatal cases also are grossly under-reported or misdiagnosed by medical professionals. Therefore, the precise number of individuals who have suffered from CO intoxication is not known. The health effects associated with exposure to CO range from the more subtle cardiovascular and neurobehavioral effects at low concentrations to unconsciousness and death after acute or chronic exposure to higher concentrations of CO. The morbidity and mortality resulting from the latter exposures are described briefly to complete the picture of CO exposure in present-day society. The symptoms, signs, and prognosis of acute CO poisoning correlate poorly with the level of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) measured at the time of hospital admission; however, because CO poisoning is a diagnosis frequently overlooked, the importance of measuring COHb in suspicious settings cannot be overstated. The early symptoms (headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, disorientation, and visual disturbances) also have to be emphasized, especially if they recur with a regular periodicity or in the same environment. Complications occur frequently in CO poisoning. Immediate death is most likely cardiac in origin because myocardial tissues are most sensitive to the hypoxic effects of CO. Severe poisoning results in marked hypotension, lethal arrhythmias, and electrocardiographic changes. Pulmonary edema may occur. Neurological manifestation of acute CO poisoning includes disorientation, confusion, and coma. Perhaps the most insidious effect of CO poisoning is the development of delayed neuropsychiatric impairment within 2-28 days after poisoning and the slow resolution of neurobehavioral consequences. Carbon monoxide poisoning during pregnancy results in high risk for the mother by increasing the short-term complication rate and for the fetus by causing fetal death, developmental disorders, and chronic cerebral lesions. In conclusion, CO poisoning occurs frequently; has severe consequences, including immediate death; involves complications and late sequelae; and often is overlooked. Efforts in prevention and in public and medical education should be encouraged.
منابع مشابه
An Epidemiological Study of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Rate and a Comparison with Other Poisonings Recorded in Mazandaran Department of Forensic Medicine, 2009-2011
Background: Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and poisonous gas. Since there is currently no information on the prevalence of carbon monoxide poisoning in Mazandaran, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of carbon monoxide poisoning and compare its prevalence with other poisonings recorded in Mazandaran Department of Forensic Medicine, from 2009 to 2011.Methods: This is a de...
متن کاملCarbon Monoxide Poisoning in the Region of Fez-Boulemane, Morocco: Epidemiological Profile and Risk Factors (2009-2012)
Background: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning has remained a common, serious and often unrecognized event and constitutes a public health problem in Morocco. The objective of this study is to describe the epidemiological and clinical profile and risk factors of CO poisoning in the region of Fez-Boulemane, Morocco. Methods: This is a retrospective study on CO poisoning cases occurred in the region ...
متن کاملCluster of unintentional carbon monoxide poisonings presenting to the emergency departments in Kingston, Ontario during 'ice storm 98'.
متن کامل
Vehicular carbon monoxide screening: identification in a cross-cultural setting of a substantial public health risk factor.
A community program of screening and education for prevention of vehicular carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning among a high-risk population in a cross-cultural setting is presented. The program was developed after two infant deaths in separate incidents of vehicular CO poisoning. The results of the screening show 18.6 per cent of vehicles exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency eight-hour stan...
متن کاملMass carbon monoxide poisoning.
The largest occurrence of carbon monoxide poisoning in Britain demonstrates the potential for mass accidental poisoning. It emphasises the need for strict public health controls and the importance of good liaison between emergency services to ensure that such events are quickly recognised and that the necessary resources are organised.
متن کاملHyperbaric oxygen therapy for pediatric patients with carbon monoxide poisoning.
We read with great interest the article by Yarar et al. entitled “Analysis of the features of acute carbon monoxide poisoning and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in children”1. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, with its high morbidity and mortality, remains an important public health problem. The data about CO poisoning in pediatric patients are limited and the contributions of Yarar et al. are of valu...
متن کاملذخیره در منابع من
با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید
عنوان ژورنال:
- Toxicology
دوره 145 1 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2000