Acute iron poisoning.

The acute ingestion of medicinal iron preparations may result in serious poisoning, particularly in young children. The principle products involved are adult iron preparations, with or without vitamins. Although a single value for the toxic dose has not been established, significant gastrointestinal manifestations occur following the ingestion of 20 mg of elemental iron per kilogram of body weight while systemic toxicity may occur following the ingestion of at least 60 mg of elemental iron per kilogram of body weight. Treatment consists of stabilizing vital functions, removing unabsorbed iron from the gastrointestinal tract, and administering intravenous deferoxamine when there are serious clinical symptoms or when a serum iron level > 500 micrograms/dL is measured within 8 hours of the ingestion. Optimal management, with the involvement of a medical toxicologist or a regional poison control center, often results in a favorable outcome.