Iron poisoning: causes, symptoms and harm to children

Iron is one of the important nutrients involved in the metabolic process and forms hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to organs and tissues. If you don't get enough daily iron intake, it's easy to feel tired and fall sick. However, iron poisoning can occur when too much iron builds up in the body - whether intentional or not. Iron poisoning is a medical emergency and is very dangerous, especially in children. The toxic effects will get worse over time and can lead to death.

What causes iron poisoning?

There are several things that can cause iron poisoning, including;

1. Overdose

Acute iron poisoning usually results from an accidental overdose. Most of these cases occurred in children under 5 years, because they accidentally took iron supplements or adult multivitamins.

2. Excess iron levels

Excess amount of iron in the body is also known as chronic iron poisoning. Causes include repeated blood transfusions to treat anemia, excessive iron therapy (either intravenously or with supplements), and liver disease such as chronic hepatitis C or alcoholic hepatitis.

3. Genetic factors

Excessive iron levels can occur naturally due to certain diseases. One example is hereditary hematochromatosis, which is a genetic condition that causes the process of absorbing iron from food inappropriately.

Symptoms of iron poisoning are time-specific

Iron poisoning usually causes symptoms within 6 hours of an overdose and can affect many different parts of the body, such as the respiratory tract, lungs, stomach, intestines, heart, blood, liver, skin and nervous system.

The symptoms can be divided into five stages:

1. Stage 1 (0-6 hours)

Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, restlessness, and drowsiness. In serious cases it may cause rapid breathing, palpitations, fainting, seizures, and low blood pressure.

2. Stage 2 (6-48 hours)

The common symptoms from the first stage will get worse.

3. Stage 3 (12-48 hours)

Further symptoms that may occur include shock, fever, bleeding, jaundice (discoloration of the skin / white parts to yellow), liver failure, excess acid in the blood, and seizures.

4. Stage 4 (2-5 days)

Symptoms can include liver failure, bleeding, blood clotting disorders, breathing problems, and even death. Other symptoms that may occur include decreased blood sugar levels, decreased consciousness, or coma.

5. Stage 5 (2-5 weeks)

The formation of scar tissue in the stomach or intestines, causing blockage of the digestive tract, stomach cramps, pain, and vomiting.

How do doctors diagnose iron poisoning?

Early diagnosis and treatment is very important. Blood and urine tests, including tests to check iron levels, must be done quickly in order to give a precise result. The diagnosis of iron poisoning is usually based on medical history, current symptoms, the level of acidity in the blood, and the level of the amount of iron in a person's body.

In order for your doctor to make a diagnosis, you will need to tell your doctor about any medications and supplements you are currently taking, including non-prescription drugs, herbal supplements, and vitamins. As much as possible be open to the doctor as much detail as possible about what you consume. Some supplements, such as vitamin C supplements, can increase the absorption of iron in the body. The pills or supplements that cause iron poisoning can also sometimes be seen on x-rays.

How to treat iron poisoning?

The first aid stage of iron poisoning is to stabilize the body's condition, including breathing problems and blood pressure. Further treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms, for example the doctor can clean the digestive tract by irrigation to remove excess iron as quickly as possible so as to reduce the toxic effect on the body.

More severe poisoning requires intravenous iron chelation therapy. Iron chelation therapy uses chemicals that bind iron in cells and remove it from the body through urine.

If you suspect your child has accidentally swallowed iron supplements, call the doctor immediately or take your child to the emergency department.

What can be done to prevent iron poisoning

You can prevent iron poisoning in your child by storing iron medication or supplements in a place that your children cannot reach and also telling your child that unknown drugs or supplements are not candy and can be harmful to their body.