[Carboxyhemoglobin levels and risk factors of carbon monoxide poisoning in children;].

BACKGROUND: To determine carboxyhemoglobin levels and to investigate carbon monoxide poisoning risk in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We determine carboxyhemoglobin blood levels by cooximetry in 65 children, between 15 days and 15 years attended in a pediatric emergency section. We analyze carbon monoxide risk factors (type of heating and smokers in the family). RESULTS: Mean carboxyhemoglobin levels in 59 children without acute intoxication was 0.5 +/- 0.87% (range 0-3.8%). There are no significant differences with respect to age and sex. Children with wood or coal heating (0.88 +/- 1.34%) and gas heating (0.58 +/- 0.97%) have carboxyhemoglobin levels higher than children with electric heating (0.28 +/- 0.4%) but differences were no statistically significant. Four patients have carboxyhemoglobin levels > 2%, two with coal or wood hating and two with gas heating. Children with smokers in the family have carboxyhemoglobin levels higher than the rest of children (0.65 +/- 1.05% versus 0.34 +/- 0.45%) without statistical significance. The four children with carboxyhemoglobin levels > 2% live with smokers. Six children suffered carbon monoxide poisoning with carboxyhemoglobin levels between 20.6 and 36.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Mean carboxyhemoglobin levels in children are low. There are carbon monoxide poisoning risk factors (wood, coal or gas heating at home, and smokers in the family) in a high percentage of the children, although they did not show statistical significance.