

Your child may have blood tests to check carbon monoxide and oxygen levels. The physical exam may include a test of mental status. He or she will give your child a physical exam. A healthcare provider often diagnoses CO poisoning based on known exposure. He or she may ask about recent exposure to fuel-burning appliances. The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. How is carbon monoxide poisoning diagnosed in a child? Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be like other health conditions, such as the flu and food poisoning. Or it may be CO poisoning if more than 1 person in the home has these symptoms. It may be CO poisoning if symptoms occur at home and not at school. Symptoms can occur a bit differently in each child. What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning in a child? Which children are at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning?Ī child is more at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning if he or she lives in a house with any of these:Īn appliance powered by oil, wood, gas, or coal Other sources of carbon monoxide include: Because of these safety problems, some states ban unvented space heaters.Ĭarbon monoxide can also leak from home or camping appliances that use oil, wood, gas, or coal and are not working properly, such as: Older models don’t have this safety feature. These sensors shut off the heater when the oxygen level in the room falls below a certain level. Most space heaters use kerosene or natural gas for fuel. It can use up much of the oxygen in the room. A space heater that is not installed right or not working correctly can release carbon monoxide and other toxic fumes into the room. It vents the gases into the room, instead of outdoors. This is because the most common source of CO poisoning is an unvented, kerosene or gas fueled space heater in the home. Most carbon monoxide exposure happens in the winter. This can harm the brain, heart, and other organs. Breathing in carbon monoxide fumes prevents the body from using oxygen normally. Fuels include wood, gasoline, coal, natural gas, and kerosene. What causes carbon monoxide poisoning in a child?ĬO is a colorless, odorless gas made when fuel burns. It's a medical emergency and needs treatment right away. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Children What is carbon monoxide poisoning in children?Ĭarbon monoxide poisoning is an illness that occurs from breathing in carbon monoxide (CO) gas.
