Acute carbon monoxide poisoning with severe cardiopulmonary compromise: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced as a by-product of incomplete combustion, and a common source is the fuel used for heating water in homes. The clinical presentation of CO poisoning may be mild, moderate, or severe. CASE PRESENTATION: This paper describes carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in a 15-year-old child who suffered from severe cardiopulmonary compromise without overt neuropsychiatric sequelae. This occurred after he was exposed to a home heater producing high levels of carbon monoxide for an estimated six to eight hours. CO-induced cardiopulmonary compromise is infrequent in children. CONCLUSION: In this case, prolonged exposure to CO resulted in a high carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) concentration, but the child recovered without overt sequelae, despite severe cardiopulmonary compromise.