POISON PREVENTION WEEK IS MARCH 21-30

IRON ingestion has become the leading cause of poisoning deaths in infants and children. There were 21,000 pediatric iron poisoning reports in the United States in 1992. In Los

Angeles alone there were 9 deaths among 1 year olds due to ingestion of their mothers prenatal vitamins.

Children's chewable multi-vitamins with iron contain 10 to 15mg of elemental iron (10 mg is 100% of the RDA for children 1 to 10 years old). Adult multi-vitamins contain 15 to 18 mg and some multi-mineral supplements contain up to 65mg of elemental iron (10 mg is 100% of the RDA for adult males, 15 mg is 100% RDA for adult females and 30 mg is 100% RDA for pregnant females). Pre-natal vitamins contain 65mg of elemental iron.

JUST TEN (10) OF THE PRENATAL VITAMINS CAN KILL A 1 YEAR OLD!!

Kids multi-vitamins are made to resemble a good tasting candy and marketed in cartoon shapes so the parents will buy them. Parents just do not understand the hazards since they look so harmless. The FDA is now studying the issue to better regulate this segment of the vitamin market. Hopefully this can decrease the potential poisoning risks children's vitamins pose.

With adult vitamins, you may have to look closely at the vitamin label to see if the iron content is indicated as elemental iron. Most iron in vitamin supplements are combined with a salt form to help absorption into the body. As examples, Ferrous Sulfate 325mg contains 65mg elemental iron; Ferrous Fumerate 325mg contains 105mg elemental iron; and Ferrous Gluconate 325mg contains 38mg elemental iron.

In any event, stress to your patients that they keep prenatal vitamins, multivitamins with iron and iron supplements out of reach of the kiddies. (along with all medications and non-prescription drugs)