Severe Iron Poisoning Treated with High Dose Deferoxamine: A Case Report

Suzan S Mazor, Shelton W Wright, Matthew Valento and Betty C Chen

Seattle Children’s Hospital, USA
University of Washington, USA
Washington Poison Center, USA

^*Correspondance to: Suzan S Mazor 

 PDF  Full Text Case Report | Open Access

Abstract:

The incidence of iron poisoning, once the most common cause of fatal pediatric unintentional ingestions, and the use of its antidote deferoxamine (DFO) has declined. This decrease has resulted in provider inexperience in recognizing clinical aspects and in managing iron poisoning. We present the case of a 17-year-old girl who presented to a hospital following an intentional polysubstance ingestion, which included ferrous sulfate. She developed severe gastrointestinal symptoms including hematemesis, as well as anion gap metabolic acidosis, coagulopathy, and liver toxicity. She was treated with DFO at doses higher than recommended by the pharmaceutical company due to an extremely elevated serum iron concentration of 2565 g/dL and worsening clinical status. Clinical features and management of complex iron poisoning are discussed. The early consultation of a poison control center and the expertise of medical toxicologists can help providers manage complex poisoning cases and weigh the risks and benefits of off-label use of DFO for severe iron poisoning.

Keywords:

Cite the Article:

Mazor SS, Wright SW, Valento M, Chen BC. Severe Iron Poisoning Treated with High Dose Deferoxamine: A Case Report. Ann Clin Case Rep. 2017; 2: 1238.