Pediatric carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning has received little attention in the literature. Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) outcome for patients admitted following CO poisoning is lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of PICU patients following CO poisoning. Methods: We reviewed the charts of PICU patients admitted with the diagnosis of CO poisoning from June 1990 to June 1997. Charts were reviewed for: age, sex, PRISM score, prehospital vital signs and interventions, carboxyhemoglobin level (COHb), initial pH, base excess, need for intubation, inotropic support, hyperbaric therapy and pediatric overall performance category(POPC).1 The POPC scale (1=good overall performance, 2=mild overall disability, 3=moderate overall disability, 4= severe overall disability, 5= coma or vegetative state, 6= brain death) has been shown to be both reliable and valid for assessing the outcome of patients requiring intensive care. Data was analyzed via chi-square, ANOVA or correlation. Results: Fifteen patients were identified with CO poisoning. The mean age was 49 months (range 5 days to 13 years), mean COHb was 28% (range 8 - 42%), mean PRISM score was 19 (range 3 - 44). There was one death secondary to cerebral herniation. Two children had surface burns with affected area less than 5%. Table

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Conclusion: The outcome of pediatric patients admitted to the PICU with carbon monoxide poisoning is significantly worse if the patients were asystolic, required intubation or CPR in the field, or needed inotropic support. Carboxyhemoglobin level, use of hyperbaric therapy, length of stay, and initial pH did not correlate with outcome.