Fatal iron intoxication in an adult

J Trauma. 1980 Jun;20(6):518-22. doi: 10.1097/00005373-198006000-00015.

Abstract

An 18-year-old male accidentally fell into a vat of saturated ferrous chloride in a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid. He aspirated the iron solution to his lungs, ingested it into his stomach, and absorbed it through the burned skin. His clinical course paralleled acute iron intoxication with GI bleeding, acidosis, and transient improvement before his demise. In addition, he developed a severe disseminated intravascular coagulopathy which was temporarily ameliorated with heparin and clotting factors.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Occupational
  • Adolescent
  • Burns, Chemical / complications
  • Humans
  • Hydrochloric Acid
  • Inhalation
  • Iron / poisoning*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Respiratory System / pathology
  • Skin Absorption

Substances

  • Iron
  • Hydrochloric Acid