Acute intentional iron overdose in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND

Although iron is the second most common overdose agent in pregnancy, the obstetric literature does not reflect current management of this emergency.

CASE

A 27-year-old woman, para 0-3-4-3, at 27 weeks' gestation ingested 24 mg/kg of elemental iron in a suicide attempt. Therapy with crystalloid hydration, gastric lavage, and intravenous deferoxamine chelation treated the overdose without maternal or fetal complications.

CONCLUSION

Pregnancy should not alter therapy for acute iron overdose. Deferoxamine administered in the third trimester is not associated with perinatal complications and is potentially life saving.