Accidental childhood iron poisoning: a problem of marketing and labeling.

Accidental iron poisoning still represents a significant hazard in children less than 5 years of age. The problem is compounded by the attractiveness of dosage forms, their high availability, and ambiguities in product labeling. Manufacturers accentuate label ambiguity by not specifically designating the iron as being total elemental iron or iron compound. A list of products that contain iron has been prepared to help clarify this issue.