22-month-old baby swallowed red apple seed and had intestinal perforation

Quang Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital recently received a special case of a 22-month-old child with intestinal perforation and septic shock due to swallowing red apple seeds.

Patient T. is in stable health after surgery.

Accordingly, patient VTT was taken to Quang Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital for emergency treatment at the end of October in a state of shock, lethargy, high fever of 40 degrees Celsius, accompanied by continuous vomiting after eating for the previous 2 days, black and dirty vomit, the child was tired, lethargic, had a bloated stomach, and could not take medicine.

Diagnostic imaging results showed that the patient had edema of the small intestine wall, decreased intestinal motility, slightly dilated small intestine loops, 4mm thick wall, fluid in the pelvic area and between the intestinal loops. In the small intestine loop of the ileum, there was a suspected foreign body structure about 28mm long, with an image of water vapor levels throughout the abdomen.

The doctor conducted a consultation and determined that the child was in septic shock, sepsis, intestinal perforation, and abdominal peritonitis caused by a foreign object. The patient was resuscitated for shock and emergency surgery was indicated. During the surgery, the entire abdomen was filled with pus and food fluid. In the small intestine, 30 cm from the ileocecal angle, there was a sharp tip of a red apple seed penetrating through. The perforated injury was sutured, the abdomen was cleaned and drained, and a drain was placed.

After surgery, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit for shock treatment, intravenous nutrition, mechanical ventilation, and sedation. Up to now, his health has stabilized, he has recovered well, has been weaned off the machine, can eat and play on his own, and has just been discharged from the hospital.

Doctors also warn that the seeds of red apples have very sharp tips. If swallowed, they can be very dangerous as they can easily puncture the digestive tract, causing very serious consequences.

Therefore, special attention should be paid to this popular food. Seeds should be removed before feeding children, and kept out of reach of children. When children have persistent abdominal pain that does not subside, or any cases of abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, or unusual fatigue, the patient should be taken to a reputable medical facility for timely diagnosis and treatment to avoid possible dangerous complications.

V. Hung

Source: https://giadinhonline.vn/be-22-thang-tuoi-nuot-hat-tao-do-bi-thung-ruot-d202673.html