Journal Published Online: 01 November 1990
Volume 35, Issue 6

Fetal Death Due to Nonlethal Maternal Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Fetal death due to acute carbon monoxide poisoning is rarely reported in the medical literature. Of the eight cases found in literature review, only one documented the fetal carboxyhemoglobin concentration. This paper reports a fetal death due to accidental nonlethal maternal carbon monoxide intoxication in which both maternal and fetal carboxhyhemoglobin concentrations were obtained. The corrected carboxyhemoglobin concentration was 61% at the time of death in utero, while the maternal carboxyhemoglobin was measured at 7% after one hour of supplemental oxygen. The authors review the mechanisms of fetal death and emphasize the different carbon monoxide kinetics in the fetal circulation.

Author Information

Farrow, JR
The Division of Respiratory and Environmental Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
Davis, GJ
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Louisville, KY
Roy, TM
The Division of Respiratory and Environmental Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
McCloud, LC
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Louisville, KY
Nichols, GR
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Louisville, KY
Pages: 5
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS12982J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12982J