Toddler deaths resulting from ingestion of iron supplements--Los Angeles, 1992-1993

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1993 Feb 19;42(6):111-3.

Abstract

During June 1992-January 1993, five children aged 11-18 months in the Los Angeles area died after ingesting iron supplement tablets. The first death was reported by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LADHS) in November 1992 and then reviewed by the Los Angeles County Child Death Review Committee. On January 6, the Los Angeles County coroner's office reported three additional deaths associated with ingestion of iron to the Child Death Review Committee and the health department. A fifth death resulting from iron poisoning was reported January 29. This report summarizes preliminary information from an investigation of these cases.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Mortality
  • Iron / poisoning*
  • Los Angeles / epidemiology
  • Male

Substances

  • Iron