injuries poisoning
Iron Poisoning
Pathophysiology of Iron Poisoning
Iron is toxic to the gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, and central nervous system. Specific mechanisms are unclear, but excess free iron is inserted into enzymatic processes and interferes with oxidative phosphorylation, causing Metabolic Acidosis . Iron also catalyzes free radical formation, acts as an oxidizer, and, when plasma protein binding is saturated, combines with water to form iron hydroxide and free H+ ions, compounding the metabolic acidosis. Coagulopathy may appear early because of interference with the coagulation cascade and later because of liver injury. Toxicity depends on the amount of elemental iron that has been ingested. Up to 20 mg/kg of elemental iron is not toxic, 20 to 60 mg/kg is mildly to moderately toxic, and>60 mg/kg can cause severe symptoms and morbidity. 