Unintentional Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning During Pregnancy: Five Years of Experience in Bordeaux

Abstract

Results: The incidence on 24 pregnant women of carbon monoxide poisoning upon the 248 cases reported at the centre was compiled making a rate of 9,67%. Eleven of them were fully monitored. Two patients out of the eleven were tobacco smokers. CO poisoning originated either from: fire (6/11), faulty heating appliances (4/11) or electric short circuit (1/11). Two of the seven patients presenting a COHb level in the blood had an amount of >10%. One patient had suffered with a right bundle block. Eight women out of the eleven were treated with oxygen therapy using face mask on their way to hospital. The centre systematically uses hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which dose and duration vary depending on the case and on the practitioner. Two foetus were affected with in utero growth restriction, and another one with a perinatal asphyxia. Two premature births were admitted to prenatal resuscitation. All along this investigation, no prenatal death were linked to carbon monoxide poisoning.