Whole Bowel Irrigation in Infants for Acute Iron Poisoning
Nir Sokolover, Avinoam Rachmel
Pediatric Dept. A, Schneider Children's Medical Center; Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva; and Tel Aviv University Medical School
Acute iron poisoning is a major cause of death due to poisoning in children, so knowledge of its presentation and appropriate management are necessary. Whole bowel irrigation, used routinely in preparation for elective surgery and colonoscopy, are safe and effective procedures. In recent years whole bowel irrigation has been used several times in various toxic situations, including acute iron poisoning.
We report our successful experience treating acute iron poisoning in a 1-year-old girl using whole bowel irrigation and deferoxamine. The safety and theoretical effectiveness of the procedure, although not proven in controlled clinical studies, suggests the use of whole bowel irrigation as treatment for acute iron poisoning.