An 18-month-old child is brought after swallowing several of her mother's iron supplement tablets. She is lethargic with repeated vomiting and abdominal pain. Serum iron is 550 micrograms/dL. Which specific antidote is indicated?
- A Deferoxamine ✓
- B N-acetylcysteine
- C Succimer
- D Hydroxocobalamin
Correct answer: A. Deferoxamine
Explanation
Acute iron poisoning passes through gastrointestinal, latent, shock and hepatic phases, and a serum iron above 500 micrograms/dL indicates severe poisoning requiring parenteral deferoxamine. Deferoxamine chelates ferric iron and the complex is excreted in urine, giving the diagnostic vin rose colour. Succimer is used for lead and arsenic, N-acetylcysteine for paracetamol, and hydroxocobalamin for cyanide.
Reference: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 21st ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.