Iron (Fe+)

Iron (Fe+)

• One of the most common and severe poisonings in children.

• S/S: GI corrosion and hemorrhage to hepatic failure.

• DX: Iron tablets may be visible on abdominal radiographs.

• TX: Activated charcoal does NOT bind with iron, so treat with the chelating agent Deferoxamine intravenously along with fluid resuscitation

• Side effect: Deferoxamine-iron is excreted in urine, producing a characteristic pink-red color urine.

• Treatment is effective when symptoms resolve, and serum iron levels return to normal.

Additional Resources

• Iron Overdose • LITFL • CCC Toxicology

• Iron Toxicity — Pediatric EM Morsels (pedemmorsels.com)