Given enough time, toddlers can open child-resistant closures (CRC) on medication bottles nothing is really 'child-proof.' CRCs should be the last line of defense against unintentional poisoning among children. Serious poisoning sometimes happens in toddlers in a household with a new baby, because their mother had likely taken prenatal multivitamins.

Because of their small size, kids can quickly reach a toxic dose if they swallow adult or prenatal multivitamins because the iron content in each tablet is high. Toxicity is determined by the amount of iron taken per kilogram of body weight. Adult and prenatal multivitamins with iron have been associated with the most serious poisonings in children.Īlthough death from iron poisoning is not as common today as it was prior to the 1990s, iron toxicity is still a threat, particularly among children. The highest iron content is found in prenatal multivitamins. Adult multivitamins can contain a moderate amount of iron. If they do, the iron content is typically very low. Children's gummy or chewable multivitamins may not contain any iron at all. The iron content in these formulations vary greatly. Iron is often combined with many other minerals and vitamins and is a common ingredient in multivitamin preparations for adults and children. Iron supplements are available over-the-counter or by prescription in a variety of forms: tablets, slow-release tablets, and liquids. This is because of better warning labels, education of prescribers, changes in the formulation and packaging of iron preparations, and consumer awareness of the dangers of iron poisoning. Fortunately, there has been a steady drop in the number of serious iron poisoning cases since. Until the 1990s, iron poisoning was the leading cause of death from medicine overdoses in children younger than 6 years.

Although iron is essential and is needed to maintain health, too much can lead to iron toxicity, which can be life-threatening. It is also widely available as a supplement. Iron is found in many foods and it is added to some fortified food products.

It is especially important for the proper functioning of our red blood cells, which carry oxygen.

Iron is an element that is essential to our health.

Antidote for iron toxicity