Stages of Iron Poisoning

Stage

Time Postingestion

Description

1

Within 6 hours

Vomiting, hematemesis, explosive diarrhea, irritability, abdominal pain, lethargy

If toxicity is severe, tachypnea, tachycardia, hypotension, coma, metabolic acidosis

2

Within 6–48 hours

Up to 24 hours of apparent improvement (latent period)

3

12–48 hours

Shock, seizures, fever, coagulopathy, metabolic acidosis

4

2–5 days

Liver failure, jaundice, coagulopathy, hypoglycemia

5

2–5 weeks

Gastric outlet or duodenal obstruction secondary to scarring