Large amounts of iron can cause diarrhea, vomiting, increased white blood cell count and blood sugar levels are high.
If within the first 6 hours no symptoms and levels of iron in the blood is low, there is little possibility of accidental poisoning.
Iron overdose symptoms
Iron is found in:
Ferro-sulfate (Feosol, Slow Fe)
Ferro-gluconate (fergon)
Ferro-fumarate (Femiron, Feostat)
mineral supplements
Vitamin supplements.
Symptoms of iron overdose usually occurs in several stages
:Stage 1 (within 6 hours)
- vomiting
- fussy
- diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- seizures
- sleepy
- Impairment of consciousness
- Gastric bleeding (hemorrhagic gastritis) caused by irritation of the digestive tract.
If the levels of iron in the blood, can also occur:
- Breathing and rapid pulse
- Low blood pressure
- Increased acidity of the blood.
Very low blood pressure or impairment of consciousness during the first 6 hours showed that the situation was serious.
Stage 2 (within 10-14 hours), there was apparent improvement that lasted for 24 hours.
Stage 3 (between 12-48 hours).
Could happen shock (very low blood pressure), reduced blood flow to the tissues and blood sugar levels down.
Iron levels in the blood may be normal, but tests indicate the presence of liver damage.
Other symptoms are:
- fever
- Increase in the number of white blood cells
- Bleeding disorder
- Abnormal electrical conduction in the heart
- disorientation
- restless
- sleepy
- seizures
- Loss of consciousness.
Death can occur.
Stage 4 (after 2-5 weeks): can be complications such as intestinal obstruction, cirrhosis or brain damage.
If the results of examination of the blood showed low iron levels, observations for 6 hours and if no symptoms develop, the child does not need to be treated.
If high iron levels or symptoms, the child needs to be treated.
At the hospital performed gastric emptying.
Used activated charcoal, although not much to absorb iron.
Intestinal washing may be necessary to remove iron.
Injections deferoksamin (which will bind iron in the blood) is given to children who have high iron levels or symptoms.
How to prevent iron overdose?
- Keep all vitamins away from children. They have more chance to get accidental overdose.
- Do not give over the counter vitamin supplements to children.
- Consult a doctor if you think your child needs an Fe supplement.
- Never exceed the recommended dose. The requirement of iron is different in different individuals. So stick to the recommended dose.
- Do not take many over the counter supplements together. They all may contain iron.
- If you eat iron rich foods such as beef, no need to take commercial supplements. Eating these foods do not cause overdose symptoms, because iron absorption from food is well regulated by the body.
- Iron preparations are only needed when you have iron deficiency, or if you have increased demand as in pregnancy. Otherwise, a balanced diet is enough to provide adequate amount. So, avoid taking iron supplements without a clear need.
In conclusion, iron overdose is a serious condition, particularly in children. Therefore, we need to know about the preventive measures. In addition, we should be able to identify the symptoms of iron overdose.
Iron deficiency due to treatment and bleeding can cause anemia.
Rontgen stomach or upper intestine is 6 weeks or more after the poisoning, to detect narrowing of the organ due to irritation of the digestive tract lining.
Prognosis is usually good, only about 1% of the deceased. The risk of death in children who have experienced shock and decreased consciousness is 10%.
Death can occur even within 1 week after the poisoning, but if within 48 hours the symptoms are gone, there will be a perfect recovery.
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