Carbonmonoxide poisoning in pregnancy is a relatively rare occurrence, with potentially serious complications for both mother and fetus. It is known that fetal effects of carbon monoxide intoxication are more severe than maternal effects. Because the fetal hemoglobin shows much more affinity to carbonmonoxide than the maternal hemoglobin and the clearence rate of carboxyhemoglobin from fetal blood is five times longer than the maternal blood clearence. During the pregnancy exposure to carbonmonoxide may result in stillbirth, abortion, fetal abnormalities, intrauterine growth restriction, functional deformities due to brain defects. In this case report, we summarize a case of a pregnant woman who was toxicated with carbon monoxide and had intrauterine exitus in the 28th week of pregnancy, well treated with hyperbaric oxygen and then inducted for labor. We aimed to discuss the features of carbonmonoxide toxication, importance of the early and exact diagnosis and, the possible fetal effects of the carbonmonoxide toxication and treatment modalities.

Authors: Ozhan Ozdemir, Cemal Resat Atalay, Mustafa Erkan Sari, Bunyamin Ugur Ilgin

Key Words: Carbonmonoxide, poisoning, pregnancy