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.