Iron Poisoning - Leading Cause of Poisoning Death in Children Under 6

Did you know iron toxicity is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in children under the age of six in the United States? Iron poisoning in children is not only dangerous-it's often deadly. The number one culprit in iron poisoning of children under the age of six is over-the-counter vitamin and mineral supplements. Over-the-counter vitamin and mineral supplements containing iron should be stored in a safe place out of the reach of children whether they have child safety caps or not.

Most of the time when a child overdoses on over-the-counter vitamin supplements containing iron, it's because they have consumed iron-containing supplements intended for an adult. Oftentimes young mothers are given iron supplements to be taken before or after giving birth and they also have a toddler in the home. It doesn't take an entire bottle to deliver a lethal dose of iron to a young child. Lethal doses vary depending on the child's body weight. High-potency iron supplements consumed frequently by women often contain 30mg or more of iron per tablet. A child weighing 40 pounds that ingests 180mg of iron would suffer the consequences of iron poisoning.

If your children take vitamin and mineral supplements containing iron, it's especially important to keep these in a safe, inaccessible place. Frequently children are given vitamins that look and taste like candy to make them more palatable. Young children cannot distinguish between candy gummy bears and gummy bear vitamins because they often look and taste alike. Young children are curious and are prone to tasting and swallowing almost any substance, so it's extremely important to keep all vitamins and medications in a safe location in your home.

If you suspect that your child has ingested iron-containing supplements, it's critical that you contact a poison control center and receive prompt medical treatment. Symptoms of iron poisoning can appear in as little as 20 minutes and include severe nausea, vomiting blood, and diarrhea. Even if symptoms improve, it's still imperative that your child be evaluated and treated at a medical facility. Left untreated, iron poisoning can lead to liver failure, shock, coma, and death -so do not delay treatment for any reason. Iron is not easily flushed from the system and treatment requires hospitalization. Prevention is always best, but early detection and treatment can save your child's life.

Sources:
Author is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
EMedicine Iron Poisoning
Accidental Iron Poisoning