Çocuklarda Akut Demir Zehirlenmesi: Devam Eden Önemli Bir Pediatrik Acil

Abstract

Objective: Iron containing drugs are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in our country and accidental or suicidal poisoning continues to be an important pediatric emergency. Our aim was to evaluate the clinical, laboratory, radiologic findings, and treatment approaches of children hospitalized with acute iron poisoning. Material and Methods: The clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings of and treatment approaches for 17 patients aged 14 months-15 years hospitalized with acute iron poisoning were reviewed. Results: The mean age was 37±35.2 months. Iron poisoning was accidental in 16 patients. The mean duration between drug intake and hospital admission was 177±149 minutes. The mean ingested amount of iron was 35.4±19 mg/kg. The mean blood iron level was 232±136 mcg/dl. There was no significant relationship between the reported dose of ingested iron and the blood iron level (p>0.05). There was no significant relationship between blood iron level and ingestion time (p>0.05). Laboratory results revealed metabolic acidosis in 3 patients, respiratory acidosis in one patient, leucocytosis in one patient, and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time in one patient. The patients’ findings were not consistent with blood iron levels. Whole bowel irrigation and IV deferoxamine were used in 3 patients. There was no death. The mean hospitalization duration was 2.8±1.1 days. Conclusion: Accidental iron poisoning continues to be an important pediatric emergency. There are no correlations between blood iron levels and the amount of ingested iron or the ingestion time. There was also no correlation between the blood iron levels and the clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings in our study.