Iron Poisoning

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TREATMENT

  • A dose of 20 ml/kg of Iron Syrup or 2-3 iron tablets/kg may be fatal in children. Abdominal X-ray may show the number of tablets swallowed
  • In severe cases there are risks of vomiting and gut hemorrhage in the acute stage and liver necrosis and shock after 1-2 days. Therefore, observe the patient for at least 48 hours
  • Remove any tablets by inducing vomiting and/or by gastric lavage

In less serious cases:

  • Give Desferrioxamine 5-10g orally or by nasogastric tube in 50-100ml of Sodium Bicarbonate solution 5%

In serious cases:

  • Give Desferrioxamine 15mg/kg/hour by IV infusion in Dextrose 5% or Sodium Chloride 0.9% solution
  • Max: 80 mg/kg in each 12-hour period
  • Continue until free of symptoms for 24 hours

Children

  • Treatment is supportive
  • May need IV fluid resuscitation and electrolyte supplementation
  • Consider giving Desferrioxamine (15 mg/kg/hour IV)
  • If anuria, consider peritoneal dialysis