There are a handful of case reports of miscarriages that occurred after exposure to carbon monoxide, but it is not possible to analyse the chance of miscarriage occurring after carbon monoxide exposure from this type of data, or to say for certain that carbon monoxide exposure caused the miscarriages. There are no published studies that have investigated the likelihood of having a miscarriage following carbon monoxide poisoning in early pregnancy. Can carbon monoxide poisoning in pregnancy cause miscarriage? Although there are case reports of babies being born with various birth defects following exposure to carbon monoxide in the womb, it is unclear whether these defects were caused by the carbon monoxide exposure or other factors. There are no published studies that have investigated the chance of birth defects in babies whose mothers experienced carbon monoxide poisoning during early pregnancy. It is mainly during this time that some medicines are known to cause birth defects. Can carbon monoxide poisoning in pregnancy cause my baby to be born with birth defects?Ī baby’s body and most internal organs are formed during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This leaflet summarises the scientific studies relating to the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning on a baby in the womb. ![]() It is therefore important that pregnant women who are exposed are assessed medically and, if necessary, treated as soon as possible. Carbon monoxide poisoning at any stage during pregnancy is likely to carry a significant risk of damage to the baby’s brain and other organs. Blood tests to measure your carbon monoxide level will be carried out and, if necessary, oxygen will be administered to help clear the carbon monoxide in your blood in order to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide causing harm to you and your baby. If you have symptoms that you think may be caused by carbon monoxide exposure you should urgently seek medical attention, either by contacting your midwife or GP, or attending hospital, depending on the severity of your symptoms. What if I have been exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide during pregnancy? In such cases, the appliance should be switched off immediately and investigated by an appropriately qualified professional. If the appliance is not burning properly, carbon monoxide levels may be increased. Warning signs of a problem include a gas fire burning with a yellow flame instead of blue, sooty marks on the covers of gas fires or yellow/brown stains around boilers, stoves or fires. This includes having chimneys in households where solid fuel is burned swept regularly, installing household carbon monoxide alarms, never using barbecues in confined/unventilated spaces (including tents or inside) and not leaving cars running in confined spaces such as garages. This can be achieved by ensuring all household gas and solid fuel appliances are installed and regularly maintained or serviced by an appropriately qualified professional. Unnecessary exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide should therefore always be avoided. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to suffocation and death of the mother and baby. ![]() ![]() What are the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning in pregnancy?ĭuring pregnancy, exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the baby in the womb, potentially affecting its growth and development. Breathlessness, chest pain, seizures or loss of consciousness suggest carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide include headache, skin flushing, nausea, tiredness, weakness, problems with balance and co-ordination, memory problems, flu-like illness and dizziness. What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning? Serious health effects such as these most commonly occur following exposure to carbon monoxide as a result of faulty heating appliances (gas and solid fuel boilers, fires) or barbecues being used inside homes, caravans, and tents. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can therefore result in illness or death. Inhaled carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen that can be carried in the bloodstream. ![]() What is carbon monoxide?Ĭarbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas produced by incompletely burned gas and solid fuels such as coal, coke, barbecue charcoal, and wood. UKTIS has been providing scientific information to health care providers since 1983 on the effects that medicines, recreational drugs and chemicals may have on the developing baby during pregnancy. UKTIS is a not-for-profit organisation funded by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on behalf of UK Health Departments. This factsheet has been written for members of the public by the UK Teratology Information Service (UKTIS).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |