How does carbon monoxide poisoning change during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning presents unique concerns mainly due to the heightened susceptibility of the fetus. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it binds to hemoglobin in the blood to form carboxyhemoglobin, which interferes with oxygen transport. Pregnant women have an increased blood volume and altered hemoglobin dynamics, which can exacerbate the impact of CO exposure.

The fetus is particularly vulnerable because it relies on maternal blood for oxygen. Not only does the fetus have a higher affinity for carbon monoxide compared to adult hemoglobin, but it also has limited capacity to eliminate it. This means that even with lower levels of CO exposure, significant amounts can accumulate in the fetal circulation, leading to potential hypoxic conditions. This can result in a variety of adverse effects, including developmental issues or even fetal death in severe cases.

Considering this physiological context, it is clear that during pregnancy, the fetus can absorb large amounts of carbon monoxide, making this choice the most accurate in a clinical understanding of CO poisoning in pregnant individuals.