Acute intentional iron overdose in pregnancy: An overview of case and treatment in a resource-limited setting

Abstract

Iron is a commonly ingested overdose medication in pregnancy, considering it is easily Iron is a commonly ingested overdose medication in pregnancy, considering it is easily accessible to pregnant women. Iron toxicity is a serious but often overlooked problem because of its unspecific and gradually developing symptoms. When Iron toxicity fails to be treated, it may sequentially undergo gastrointestinal, latent, systemic, hepatic, and obstructive stages.

This case report discusses a 21-year-old primigravida patient at 17week gestation who presented with acute iron toxicity after ingesting 76 tablets of pills containing ferrous sulfate. She presented with severe abdominal pain and persistent vomiting. This report highlights the clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and management strategies employed to treat this rare case of severe iron toxicity during pregnancy.