Iron poisoning

Iron poisoning is caused by an excess of iron in the blood. It is a common cause of death in young children who consume large quantities of iron supplement pills, which resemble sweets and are widely used, particularly by pregnant women.

In nature, iron is usually found in its oxidized form, ferric oxide, which is insoluble and therefore non-toxic. Ferrous iron is soluble and highly toxic.

Symptoms The first indication of iron poisoning by ingestion is a pain in the stomach, as the stomach lining becomes ulcerated. This is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The pain then abates for 24 hours as the iron passes deeper into the body and damages internal organs, particularly the brain and the liver. The body goes into shock and death from liver failure can result.

Treatment Treatment consists of cleaning the iron from the stomach using a chelating agent such as desferrioxamine. If this fails then dialysis is the next step.

External Link

• General Practice Notebook (http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/)