Fatal Iron Overdose In Children

[Maghan]

I just wanted to make everyone aware that iron overdose is one of the most common overdoses of children in Australia and can also be fatal.

How do I know this?? My near four year old took some of my "sparkly tablets" yesterday. Their real name is Fefol.

It wasn't until an unpleasant stay overnight at the children's hospital with doctor's looking and talking very seriously about my baby's chance of dying from an iron overdose that this hit home.

I thought iron was "just a vitamin". How very wrong was I?? Iron overdose can cause stomach ulcers, blood loss and amongst other things heart failure.

PLEASE TAKE MY ADVICE AND LOCK ALL TABLETS, INCLUDING VITAMINS AWAY.

[Maghan]

Ahhh, how did I know that you would be lurking somewhere around ...

In hindsight I think I may reconsider my vegetarian ways.

[OJandMe]

Thanks for the info! I wonder how this relates to all the 'iron enhanced' foods they're making for kids these days. Should we limit them too? I for one don't use them anyway as the boys have a great diet with lots of nutritious foods. But it's an interesting thought...

[Maghan]

Gret_bliss, there are some good articles if you google iron overdose and children.

[jessgray]

you make a great point. it isnt just iron that you can over does on though. you can overdoes on just about any vitamin. you just have to stay within the recomended daily intake.

[Mum&bubs]

Wow I never knew that. I've always put my Iron tablets up & away from Summer's reach but I thought if she ever did by accident get a hold of them, they wouldn't do much harm. Thanks for the info!

[jessgray]

Can You Overdose on Vitamins?


Too much of a good thing can have unexpected consequences. Just ask people who have gulped gallons of carrot juice, which is rich in beta carotene, only to find that the palms of their hands and the soles of their feet turned a dull yellowy orange.

The carrot-juice syndrome is generally thought to be harmless and reversible, but overdosing on some other vitamins and minerals can have serious side effects.

Vitamin A

Gorging on this vitamin compound in doses of more than 25,000 IUs (five times the RDA) can lead to liver damage, hair loss, blurred vision and headaches.

Bitamin B-6

Ingesting more than 400 mg a day (200 times the RDA) can cause numbness in the mouth and hands and difficulty in walking.

Vitamin C

It was once believed to cause kidney stones, but experts now say there is no solid evidence of dangerous side effects from vitamin C. High doses can produce stomachaches and diarrhea.

Vitamin D

In daily doses of 50,000 IUs (125 times the U.S. RDA), the sunshine vitamin can cause the buildup of calcium deposits that can interfere with the functioning of muscles, including heart tissue. While sunbathing will never create an overdose, taking too many supplements can.

Niacin

Doctors prescribe doses of 2,000 mg (100 times the RDA) to help lower cholesterol. But patients who take that much should be monitored for possible symptoms of jaundice and liver damage.

Iron

Those who want to bolster their red blood cell count, especially elderly people and menstruating women, have been taking iron supplements for years. Daily doses higher than 100 mg (six times the RDA) could interfere with absorption of zinc, a mineral that speeds wound healing and helps regulate the immune system.
from http://chemo.net/newpage35.htm

ETA: for some saftey tips and more info go to http://www2.oprah.com/relationships/relationships_content.jhtml?contentId=con_20030715 _vitamins.xml&section=Family&subsection=Parenting