Iron Supplements

When we think about protecting children from the risk of accidental poisoning, we tend to focus on household chemicals and prescription drugs. But one of the most common dangers to children is often sold over-the-counter, iron supplements.

What iron does

Iron is a mineral that's used by the body to produce red blood cells. If the body does not get enough iron, iron deficiency anemia (Read about "Anemia") can result, leading to tiredness, shortness of breath, and potential learning problems in children and adults.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) say most people in the U.S. get enough iron from their diet. However, there are times when some people may need supplements. For example, NIH says during the last 6 months of pregnancy, in order to meet the increased needs of the developing baby, an iron supplement may be recommended by a woman's doctor. (Read about "Stages of Pregnancy" "Pregnancy and Nutrition") People with bleeding problems or other special needs may also need a supplement. However, iron can cause digestive problems, according to NIH (Read about "Medications and Digestion") and taking too much iron can actually be dangerous. (Read about "Hemochromatosis") Therefore, the use of iron supplements should only be pursued under a doctor's supervision.

A poison risk

There's another reason to be cautious about iron supplements. Accidental overdose of iron is the leading cause of poisoning death in children under the age of six, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since 1986, there have been over 110,000 cases of children ingesting too much iron and over 35 deaths associated with iron overdose. (Read about "Poison Prevention") Iron supplements lead the list of poison killers of children under six, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Some of the children who died from ingesting iron supplements had taken as few as 5 pills.

Most of the serious injuries occurred with products having over 30 milligrams (mg) of iron per dose. Taken by a patient as directed, these products shouldn't cause a problem. But when accidentally taken beyond the proper dose, especially by a toddler or infant, there can be serious health problems. These include nausea and vomiting as well as long-term effects such as liver damage. Therefore, if parents are using iron supplements (and iron is often prescribed as a prenatal supplement) or if they're using multi-vitamins that contain iron (Read about "Prenatal Care" "Vitamins & Minerals"), it's essential that they keep the pills out of children's reach.

Preventing problems

Of course, iron supplements aren't the only medicine that can be dangerous to a child if used incorrectly. Precautions are essential when storing any kind of product if there are children in the house. (Read about "Your Medicine Cabinet")

Some suggestions from the FDA:

• Always keep medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, in their original containers.
• Always keep such products in a secure cabinet, out of children's reach.
• Talk with your pediatrician before giving children supplements or over-the-counter medicine.
• Don't try to get children to take vitamins or medicine by telling them it's "candy."
• Don't leave vitamins or medications out on a counter or table.

Finally, if you suspect poisoning, call a doctor or poison control center right away. It's a good idea to keep those numbers by the phone at all times.

Related Information:

    Hemochromatosis