ACUTE INTENTIONAL IRON OVERDOSE IN PREGNANCY

Background: Although iron is the second most common overdose agent in pregnancy, the obstetric literature does not reflect current managemen t of this emergency. Case: A 27-year-old woman, para 0-3-4-3, at 27 we eks' gestation ingested 24 mg/kg of elemental iron in a suicide attemp t. Therapy with crystalloid hydration, gastric lavage, and intravenous deferoxamine chelation treated the overdose without maternal or fetal complications. Conclusion: Pregnancy should not alter therapy for acu te iron overdose. Deferoxamine administered In the third trimester is not associated with perinatal complications and is potentially life sa ving. (Obstet Gynecol 1998;92:678-80. (C) 1998 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.).