Multi-center retrospective evaluation of carbonyl iron ingestions.
There is limited published data concerning carbonyl iron ingestion and no data on overdose. A retrospective chart review of all patients with carbonyl iron ingestion reported to 5 regional poison information centers from January 1998 to April 2000 was done. Thirty-three patients with carbonyl iron ingestion were reported. Twenty-seven patients (82%) were managed without referral to a health care facility. The mean and median age of these patients was 3years and 20 months, respectively. The mean dose ingested was 11.2 mg/kg (range of 2.2 to 34.5 mg/kg) with no effects noted. Six patients evaluated in the emergency ingested a mean of 34 mg/kg (range of 12 to 72 mg/kg). The mean peak serum iron concentrations in 4/6 were 82 microg/dL (range of 36 to 177 microg/dL). One child with a history of flu-like symptoms reported diarrhea, fever and lethargy and had a serum iron concentration of 36 microg/dL; symptoms were believed unrelated to the exposure. In this limited first case series of iron carbonyl ingestion, serious toxicity did not occur.
Spiller
Henry A
HA
Kentucky Regional Poison Center, Louisville 40232-5070, USA.
Wahlen
Hilary S
HS
Stephens
Teresa L
TL
Krenzelok
Edward P
EP
Benson
Blaine
B
Peterson
Jim
J
Dellinger
John A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D054354:Iron Carbonyl Compounds; D008297:Male; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000506:poisoning*; D011039:Poison Control Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D054354:Iron Carbonyl Compounds; D007501:Iron