Calcium disodium edathamil in the treatment of ferrous sulfate poisoning.

ACHELATING AGENT is a compound which binds with a heavy metal to give a harmless water soluble product which may then be readily excreted (chela = claw). Calcium disodium edathamil, also known as E.D.T.A. and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, (hereafter referred to as edathamil) is the best known of these agents and the value of its calcium disodium salt in the treatment of lead poisoning has been substantiated by many reports (Byers, 1954). Claims for its effectiveness in other forms of metal poisoning have also been made, including hypercalcemia, calcinosis, mercury poisoning, hemochromatosis, and the removal of radium plutonium and fission products. In the case of acute iron poisoning, its use is comparatively little-known and there are only a few reports of patients successfully treated with this substance. This is a matter for concern since iron is a common accidental poison in childhood and carries a high mortality. The widespread