Accidental Iron Poisoning in Childhood

Abstract

Between 1962 and 1973, six children were admitted to the Massachusetts General Hospital because of accidental iron poisoning. Intoxication was life-threatening in two children whose serum iron concentrations exceeded their iron binding capacities. One of these patients died despite intensive supportive care and desferoxamine therapy. Although iron poisoning appears to be relatively uncommon, it can produce life-threatening and fatal intoxication in children.