Acute iron poisoning in adult female.
We report a case of a 27-year-old female with anemia, treated with high dose oral and parenteral iron therapy (within 20 days, the patient received a total dose of 4 g Fe+2 orally and 700 mg Fe+2 iv and im), and developed clinical manifestations characteristic of acute iron poisoning. Initial gastrointestinal symptoms and hypotension were followed by signs of mitochondrial toxicity: high leucocytosis, shock, multi-organ failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation. We discuss the difficulties in diagnosing acute iron poisoning. The initial low total iron blood capacity and high ferritin level, as well as the typical sequence of symptoms, supported the diagnosis. The patient avoided fatal consequences, probably due to the administration of iron doses over an extended period of time. However, cumulative effects led to the apparent iron toxicity. After 2 weeks of treatment, the patient was discharged from hospital in good condition. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26, 663-666.
Skoczynska
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland. annaskoc@ak.am.wroc.pl
Kwiecinska
D
D
Kielbinski
M
M
Lukaszewski
M
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000139:chemically induced; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000139:chemically induced; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D058085:Iron Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000139:chemically induced; D011041:Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006397:Hematinics; D058085:Iron Compounds