Doctor's Notes on Iron Poisoning (Overdose) In Children
Iron poisoning in children usually occurs when a child swallows a large number of iron-containing pills, most often vitamins. The amount of iron that causes iron poisoning depends upon the size of the child. If you know or suspect a child has consumed tablets that contain iron, call 9-1-1 and go to a hospital's emergency department or contact a poison control center immediately at 800-222-1222.
Initially a child may show no symptoms of having consumed iron and the only evidence may be an opened vitamin bottle. Symptoms of iron poisoning in children usually appear within 6 hours after a large amount of iron is consumed. Iron is a stomach irritant and can corrode the intestinal lining. Symptoms of iron poisoning in children include
- severe vomiting (may be bloody),
- diarrhea (may be bloody),
- abdominal pain,
- dehydration, and
- lethargy.
If severe poisoning is inadequately treated, shock and death can occur.
What Is the Treatment for Iron Poisoning (in Children)?
Care must be taken to keep iron (and all other medications) out of the reach of children.
Acute iron poisoning due to overdose is a medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 if you suspect your child has taken an overdose of iron pills.
Patients with iron overdose may need emergency stabilization with intravenous fluids and medications, cardiac monitoring and possibly even emergency intubation.
If the overdose happened in the past few hours, the child may need bowel irrigation and strong laxative fluids to clear out the pills before they are further absorbed.
Severe iron poisoning requires intravenous (IV) chelation therapy with deferoxamine mesylate (Desferal), a chemical that binds to iron and then is excreted safely in the urine. A change in the color of the urine to a red-orange and low blood pressure are common side effects with deferoxamine chelation treatment. Usually, IV chelation treatment lasts for about 24 hours. Other symptomatic and supportive care may be necessary.
Trauma and First Aid : Training and Supplies Quiz
QuestionEmotional trauma is best described as a psychological response to a deeply distressing or life-threatening experience.
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Acetaminophen Poisoning (Tylenol Overdose)
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) poisoning or overdose, is caused primarily by damage to the liver. Symptoms of acetaminophen (Tylenol) poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, poor appetite, and not feel well. Treatment for acetaminophen (Tylenol) poisoning include gastric lavage, NAC, or activated charcoal. -
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a substance used when a person has ingested a poison (drugs or chemicals). Activated charcoal absorbs the poisons in the GI tract. Activated charcoal is administered by a physician and is not recommended for home use. In the United States, the National Poison Control Center hot line is 1-800-222-1222. If someone has ingested poisonous levels of chemicals or drugs, contact the emergency medical response system in your area or take the patient to the nearest emergency department. -
Anemia
Anemia can be caused by many conditions and diseases such as iron deficiency, poor diet and nutrition, cancers, bone marrow problems, and more. Symptoms of anemia depend upon the cause, and progression of the disease. Treatment depends upon the cause of anemia. -
Aspirin Poisoning
Aspirin poisoning is either accidental or intentional. Symptoms of aspirin poisoning include ringing in the ears, impaired hearing, rapid breathing, dehydration, vomiting, fever, and double vision. The treatment of aspirin poisoning is cared for in a hospital setting. -
Dehydration in Children
Dehydration in children can result from not drinking enough liquids, vomiting, diarrhea, or combination of these conditions. Causes of dehydration in children include viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections, diabetes, and increased sweating, and others. Symptoms include sunken eyes, decrease in urination, no tears when crying, dry mouth, lethargy, and irritability. Treatment at home includes proper fluid replacement. Some cases of dehydration are so severe they may require hospitalization. -
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, parasites, intestinal diseases or conditions, reactions to medications, and food intolerance or allergies. Symptoms of diarrhea include watery stools, abdominal cramping, fever, and dehydration. Most cases of diarrhea can be treated at home. In some cases (in the elderly, small children, or those with severe or chronic medical conditions) may need to be hospitalized due to dehydration. -
Diarrhea vs. Loose Stools
Diarrhea is an increase in the frequency of bowel movements, an increase in the looseness of stool, or both. Symptoms associated with diarrhea include abdominal pain, especially cramping. Other symptoms depend on the cause of the diarrhea. Loose stools describes stool consistency of your bowel movement like soft, runny, explosive, or hard. Stool color changes may vary from green, yellow, black, and tarry. Treatment for diarrhea and loose stools depend on the causes. -
High Red Blood Cell Count (Polycythemia Vera)
Polycythemia (high red blood cell count) is a condition in which there is an increased number of red blood cells in the blood. There are two types of polycythemia; 1) primary polycythemia and 2) secondary polycythemia. The two main conditions of primary polycythemia are polycythemia vera (PV) and primary familial and congenital polycythemia (PFCP). Causes of secondary polycythemia include conditions as a result of chronic hypoxia such as COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea, and certain cancers. Examples of symptoms of polycythemia include easy bruising or bleeding, blood clot formation, headache, itching, and fatigue. Treatment for polycythemia depends on the cause. Untreated polycythemia generally has a poor outcome for the patient. -
Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
Low blood pressure (hypotension) may be caused by heart conditions, intravascular fluid complications (dehydration, pneumonia, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding), medications, endocrine conditions, allergic reactions, orthostatic hypotension, diabetes, and micturition syncope. Low blood pressure may or may not have symptoms depending upon the cause. Treatment also depends upon the causes of low blood pressure. -
Mercury Poisoning
Mercury poisoning can be found in several forms including inhaled, vapor, organic, inorganic, etc. Examples of sources of mercury poisoning include environmental, mercury thermometers, medication, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, and more. Symptoms of mercury poisoning include mood swings, insomnia, headache, muscle twitching, tremors, and more. Treatment for mercury poisoning depends on the type and amount of exposure. -
Poison Proofing Your Home
Poison proofing your home is one of the most important ways to protect your family and pets from an accidental poisoning from: solids (pills, plants, fertilizers), liquids (medicine, soap, household cleaners), insecticide sprays and paints, and gases such as carbon monoxide and paint stripper. Have the poison control center phone numbers and information readily available in case of an accidental poisoning. Information about when to seek medical care is also included in the information. -
Poisoning
Poisoning can have serious signs or symptoms including nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, seizure, confusion, or pain. The National Poisong Control Center phone number in the U.S. 1-800-222-1222. Causes of poisoning include medications, chemicals, lead, and more. Treatment depends upon the type of poisoning. -
Shock
Medical shock occurs from many illnesses, conditions, or trauma. Types of shock include septic, hypovolemic, hemorrhagic, cardiogenic, neurogenic, hypoglycemic, hyperglycemic, and anaphylactic shock. The treatment and outcome of medical shock depends upon the medical situation. -
Stomach Pain (Abdominal Pain) in Children
Abdominal pain in children can range from trivial to life-threatening. Symptoms of abdominal pain range from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, groin pain, urinary problems, or skin rash. The location of the abdominal pain may be around the belly button, occurs only at night, while eating. The pain pain also may be intermittent. Treatment of abdominal pain in children is depends on the cause. Possible causes of abdominal pain in children include infections, food related (food allergy or food poisoning), poisoning from medication, food, household products, appendicitis, diabetes, or spider bites. -
Vomiting and Nausea
Vomiting and nausea are common complaints that accompany many conditions and diseases. A few common causes of vomiting and nausea include food poisoning, viruses, vertigo, head injuries, gallbladder disease, appendicitis, migraine, brain tumors, and infections. Treatment of vomiting and nausea depend on the cause of the symptoms. -
What Foods Are the Highest in Iron?
Meat, eggs and seafood are high-iron foods. Specific fruits and vegetables -- kale and strawberries, for example -- are also high in iron.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.