Acute aphasia and loss of vision with desferrioxamine overdose

Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 1987 Fall;9(3):287-8.

Abstract

Reversible aphasia, loss of vision, bradycardia, and mild hypotension occurred in a 6-year-old girl with aplastic anemia and transfusion-related iron overload after inadvertent increase of her intravenous desferrioxamine drip. Signs and symptoms were reversed promptly by intravenous fluids, suggesting that desferrioxamine, when given as a sudden intravenous bolus, may upset vasoregulation. Three possible mechanisms are discussed that could explain this phenomenon. High-dose intravenous desferrioxamine ought to be given by pump infusion only, in order to avoid accidental overdose.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Aplastic / drug therapy*
  • Aphasia / chemically induced*
  • Blindness / chemically induced*
  • Child
  • Deferoxamine / poisoning*
  • Deferoxamine / therapeutic use
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Humans

Substances

  • Deferoxamine