A 2-year-old presents with iron toxicity. What antidote should be considered?

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In cases of iron toxicity, the appropriate antidote to administer is deferoxamine. This is because deferoxamine functions as a chelating agent, which means it binds to excess iron in the bloodstream, facilitating its excretion through the kidneys. This process helps mitigate the harmful effects of iron overload on various organs, particularly the liver and heart, which can occur in cases of acute iron poisoning.

Iron toxicity can lead to severe systemic complications, and the timely use of deferoxamine is critical in such scenarios to prevent permanent damage or potential fatality. The antidote is specifically indicated for managing iron toxicity and has a well-established role in the treatment of patients who have ingested toxic amounts of iron, making it the correct choice in this case.

Other agents listed, such as glucagon, methylene blue, and pyridoxine, are used for different types of poisoning or metabolic issues, but they do not have the properties necessary to address the toxic effects of iron in the body. Therefore, deferoxamine is the appropriate antidote in this situation.

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