Can iron be toxic to children?
Iron poisoning, from an overdose of iron supplements or multivitamins with iron, is the most common cause of accidental poisoning in children. Symptoms of intoxication include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, a weak pulse, dizziness, shock and confusion. As few as 6 to 12 iron tablets have caused death in children within 4 hours. A child suspected of having iron poisoning should be rushed to the hospital to have their stomach pumped. There have also been reports of constipation from too much iron.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA ) is the dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of almost all of the healthy individuals in a specific age and gender group. The RDA for iron in children are as follows:
Children 1-3 years = 7 mg/day
Children 4-8 years = 10 mg/day
Boys 9-13 years =8 mg/day
Boys 14-18 years = 11 mg/day
Girls 9-13 years = 8 mg/day
Girls 14-18 years = 15 mg/day
The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is the maximum level of daily
nutrient intake that is unlikely to pose risks of adverse health effects to almost
all of the individuals in the group for whom it is designed. This figure is not
intended to be a recommended level of intake, and there is no established
benefit for individuals to consume nutrients at levels above the RDA.
The UL refers to total intakes from food, fortified food and nutrient supplements.
The UL for iron in children are as follows:
Children 1-3 years = 40 mg/day
Children 4 to 8 years = 40mg/day
Boys 9 to 13 years = 40mg/day
Boys 14-18 years = 45 mg/day
Girls 9 to13years = 40mg/day
Girls 14-18 = 45 mg/day
References:
1. National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary reference
intakes for vitamin A, vitamin K, arsenic, boron, chromium, copper, Iodine, iron,
manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc. 2001.
Available at: http://books.nap.edu/books/0309072794/html/index.html
2. Oklahoma State Cooperative Extension Service. Nutrition Basics: Dietary Reference Intakes. Available at: http://fcs.okstate.edu/food/nutrition/basics/dri/dri-cont.htm