Toxicology Season 3 Episode 3: Iron

Pediatric iron poisoning requires precise calculation of elemental iron intake, as prenatal vitamins often contain high concentrations that pose significant risks to toddlers. Clinical presentation follows five distinct stages, beginning with gastrointestinal distress and potentially progressing to multi-system organ failure, shock, and hepatic damage. Patients exhibiting vomiting within six hours post-ingestion require careful observation, as the latent phase can mask ongoing systemic injury. Management centers on aggressive fluid resuscitation, whole bowel irrigation for significant ingestions, and intravenous deferoxamine for severe toxicity. Clinicians must monitor for *Yersinia enterocolitica* sepsis during prolonged chelation therapy and maintain a high index of suspicion for patients presenting with unexplained vomiting, as early intervention prevents the most severe sequelae of this corrosive and cardiotoxic exposure.