An iron overdose in young children could be fatal, the Committee on Safety of Medicines has warned. It said solid dose dietary iron supplements accounted for 2 to 3 per cent of hospital admissions for accidental overdose in children aged nought to four. The Committee urged health professionals to remind parents and carers to keep iron tablets stored securely out of children's sight and reach, and said that product labels would be changed to carry a warning. Committee chairman Professor Alasdair Breckenridge said, 'If iron tablets are taken in overdose, the body's normal regulatory system fails and toxic amounts of iron will be absorbed.' He said medical advice should be sought immediately if a child has taken an accidental overdose of iron tablets.
An iron overdose in young children could be fatal, the Committee on Safety of Medicines has warned. It said solid dose dietary iron supplements accounted for 2 to 3 per cent of hospital admissions for accidental overdose in children aged nought to four. The Committee urged health professionals to remind parents and carers to keep iron tablets stored securely out of children's sight and reach, and said that product labels would be changed to carry a warning. Committee chairman Professor Alasdair Breckenridge said, 'If iron tablets are taken in overdose, the body's normal regulatory system fails and toxic amounts of iron will be absorbed.' He said medical advice should be sought immediately if a child has taken an accidental overdose of iron tablets.
