Citation

Claudet I, Marcoux MO, Karsenty C, Rittié JL, Honorat R, Lelong-Tissier MC. Ann. Fr. Anesth. Reanim. 2012; 31(3): 255-258.

Vernacular Title

Intoxication accidentelle grave a l'hydrogene sulfure: un cas pediatrique de

Affiliation

Service d'accueil des urgences pédiatriques, hôpital des Enfants, 330, avenue de Grande-Bretagne, TSA 740034, 31059 Toulouse cedex 09, France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.annfar.2011.12.007

PMID

22305402

Abstract

We report a paediatric case of survival following severe hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) gas intoxication. A 13-year-old boy was found submerged to the neck in a manure tank. He was hypothermic, unresponsive with bilateral mydriasis, and had poor oxygen saturation. After intubation, he was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care children's hospital. He developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring high frequency percussive ventilation. Cardiac evaluation was significant for myocardial infarction and left ventricular function impairment. He completely recovered from the respiratory and cardiac failure. Neurological examinations showed abnormal signals on MRI in the semi-oval center and in the frontal cortex. Follow-up detected partial impairment of axonal fibers of the right external popliteal sciatic nerve. Paediatric cases of survival after H(2)S intoxication have been rarely reported. Such exposures can evolve to severe ARDS and benefit from high frequency percussive ventilation. Hypothermia and other metabolic abnormalities are now better explained thanks to actual knowledge about endogenous H(2)S function. Lessons learned from paediatric accidents should result in better information about this threat for farmers and families living in houses with septic tanks, reducing the risk to their own and their children's safety.

Language: fr