Toxicology
-
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. ⋯ 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.