Prenatal vitamins not so benign when small children find them

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 03 Apr 2005 - 8:00 PDT

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Many expectant mothers don't always think to keep their prenatal vitamins under lock and key or at least out of reach of their other young children. But doing so just might save their toddler's life, says Dr. Kathleen Delaney, vice chairman of emergency medicine and professor of surgery and internal medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

"I suspect that many people think that they are benign - just vitamins," Dr. Delaney says. "But they are extremely high in iron, which can be toxic to small children."

If you suspect your toddler has swallowed prenatal vitamins, immediately head to the nearest emergency department. Of course, all medicines, vitamins or supplements - as well as cleaners, poisons and other potentially harmful household products - should be kept secured and out of reach of young children.

Media Contact: Kara Lenocker

Health tips from experts at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
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Dallas, TX 75390-9060
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Phone 214-648-3404
Fax 214-648-9119
http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/news

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