Minimising the risk and consequences of CO exposure during pregnancy - Trust share findings of project

On Weds 9^th Nov at 2 pm, the CO Research Trust were joined by Hilary Wareing to talk about the results of a project seeking to establish the number of pregnant women who might be affected by exposure to CO.

England has approximately 650,000 live births each year with about 4,700 perinatal deaths (3,200 stillbirths and 1,400 neonatal deaths) in the same year.

Of this figure, over 1,500 will be classified as unexplained deaths. It is unknown if any of these deaths were the result of CO poisoning of the pregnant woman.

Studies show that death in the first month of life, along with congenital malformations and neurological problems, can occur with moderate to severe maternal exposure to CO. Studies also conclude that such outcomes cannot be excluded even when exposure is at lower levels.

Hilary is the Director of IPIP, a consortium of public health practitioners. She has a background in health service research and management as well as a clinical background in general nursing, midwifery, and health visiting.

Her study, funded partially by the CO Research Trust, seeks to provide an understanding of the scale of the problem and what is required to protect a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

The presentation explored the project's outcomes to support the development of protocols and pathways for identifying those in danger of harm along with appropriate treatment pathways.


Since 2013, the Trust has invested almost £3m in research projects and is committed to investing a further £1.5m in the next five years.

The Trust’s vision is a world where people are not exposed to CO. Not only are people dying, but many are unaware that they are being poisoned at low levels, which can lead to adverse health outcomes.

- Ends -

Notes to editors

About the CO Research Trust

The CO Research Trust (formerly the Gas Safety Trust) is a registered charity which was established in 2005. The vision of the charity is a world where people are not exposed to carbon monoxide (CO).

For more information please contact.

Natalie Fleck

CO Research Trust

natalie@coresearchtrust.org

www.coresearchtrust.org

Follow us: @COResearchTrust

To address the focus of the CO Research Trust’s activity over the next five years in more detail, we have put together this blog post.