Leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, vomiting, and positive X-rays are not indicators of severity of iron overdose in adults.

To determine whether leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, vomiting, and opacities in abdominal radiographs are indicators of a serum iron concentration of > 300 micrograms/dL in adult iron overdose patients, a retrospective medical record review was undertaken at a university medical center of all patients older than 12 years of age for whom clinical data were collected before deferoxamine therapy and within 6 hours of iron ingestion. Forty-three patients met the inclusion criteria; 37 were female. The mean and range serum iron concentrations were 382 micrograms/dL and 58 to 710 micrograms/dL, with 34 patients having values of > 300 micrograms/dL. There were no statistically significant relationships between iron concentration of > 300 microgram/dL and leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, vomiting, and opacities in abdominal radiographs (P > .05). Sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values indicate poor performance of these parameters as clinical predictors of serum iron concentration of > 300 micrograms/dL. Leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, vomiting, or the presence of opacities in abdominal X-rays are not indicators of a serum iron concentration of > 300 micrograms/dL in adults. These parameters should not be used to assess the severity of iron overdose or to guide its management.