Carbon monoxide poisoning in children riding in the back of pickup trucks

Journal Article · Wed Jan 22 00:00:00 EST 1992 · JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1992.03480040086036· OSTI ID:5752208

Hampson, N B; Norkool, D M ^[1]

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1. Department of Medicine, Virginia Mason Clinic, Seattle, WA (United States)

The purpose of this study is to describe the case characteristics of a series of children poisoned with carbon monoxide while traveling in the back of pickup trucks. Pediatric cases referred for treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning with hyperbaric oxygen between 1986 and 1991 were reviewed. Those cases that occurred during travel in the back of pickup trucks were selected. Clinical follow-up by telephone interview ranged from 2 to 55 months. The study took place in a private, urban, tertiary care center in Seattle, Wash. Twenty children ranging from 4 to 16 years of age were studies. All patients were treated with hyperbaric oxygen. Of 68 pediatric patients treated for accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, 20 cases occurred as children rode in the back of pickup trucks. In 17 of these, the children were riding under a rigid closed canopy on the rear of the truck, while three episodes occurred as children rode beneath a tarpaulin. Average carboxyhemoglobin level on emergency department presentation was 18.2% {plus minus} 2.4% (mean {plus minus} SEM; range, 1.6% to 37.0%). Loss of consciousness occurred in 15 of the 20 children. One child died of cerebral edema, one had permanent neurologic deficits, and 18 had no recognizable sequelae related to the episode. In all cases, the truck exhaust system had a previously known leak or a tail pipe that exited at the rear rather than at the side of the pickup truck. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a significant hazard for children who ride in the back of pickup trucks. If possible, this practice should be avoided.

• OSTI ID: 5752208
• Journal Information: JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association; (United States), Vol. 267:4; ISSN 0098-7484
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CARBON MONOXIDE
TOXICITY
TRUCKS
EXHAUST GASES
CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN
CHILDREN
AGE GROUPS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
VEHICLES
WASTES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology