Hemochromatosis due to parenteral iron therapy

Iron overload is caused by mutations in the HFE gene that stimulate absorption, or when the amount ingested or injected exceeds the body's ability to eliminate it. Excessive iron deposition in the parenchymal tissue leads to injury and ultimately organ dysfunction. Diabetes mellitus and liver cirrhosis due to damage to the pancreas and liver are examples of diseases caused by iron overload.

We report a 6-year-old boy who developed iron overload due to iatrogenic intravenous iron injections. Iron toxicity can be an incidental finding, such as unexplained elevated serum ferritin levels or unexplained liver disease, which may trigger an iron overload investigation.

This case illustrates the importance of prescribing intravenous iron by expert physicians to avoid toxicity.