An earring 'lost' in the stomach of an 8-month-old girl

Seeing their 8-month-old daughter suddenly crying and vomiting abnormally, Ms. M. and her husband immediately took her to the hospital for examination. X-ray images showed a radiopaque foreign object in the stomach.

Taking the medical history, the baby's mother said that the family had no idea that the baby had swallowed a foreign object. When the baby showed unusual symptoms such as constant crying, regurgitation, and poor feeding, the family began to worry. Notably, at the same time, the baby's parents discovered that one of the baby's earrings was missing for unknown reasons. Suspecting that the baby might have swallowed a foreign object, the family immediately took the baby to the hospital for examination.

On July 23, specialist doctor Truong Minh Hieu, Head of the Endoscopy Department, Xuyen A General Hospital (HCMC) said that X-ray images showed a radiopaque foreign object in the stomach, possibly an earring. Recognizing that this was a high-risk case, an interdisciplinary consultation was quickly conducted. The doctors decided to perform an endoscopy under anesthesia to remove the foreign object.

Through endoscopy, the doctor quickly removed an 8mm earring with a sharp tip. After evaluating the esophagus and stomach, no abrasions were recorded, and the baby was transferred to the Pediatrics Department for further monitoring.

Endoscopic image reveals 8mm earring in stomach

PHOTO: BSCC

Doctor Hieu said that the endoscopy process encountered many difficulties because the earring had a sharp tip, which could easily scratch the intestinal mucosa during the operation. The team tried to remove the foreign object safely without causing damage to the surrounding organs. After 2 days of monitoring at the Pediatrics Department, the child's health condition was stable and he was discharged home.

Sharp foreign objects can cause serious damage to the esophagus and stomach.

According to specialist 2 Thach Binh Minh, Head of the Department of Pediatrics, Xuyen A General Hospital, children from 6 months to 3 years old are the group of subjects that are susceptible to accidents of swallowing or inhaling foreign objects, especially when playing without adult supervision. Sharp foreign objects when entering the body can cause serious damage to the esophagus, stomach, intestines, even perforation of the intestinal wall or gastrointestinal bleeding if not treated promptly.

To prevent such accidents, Dr. Minh recommends that parents pay close attention when caring for their children. Children should not wear earrings or bracelets, or be left alone with small, sharp, removable objects. Always closely supervise children when playing and eating.

"If you suspect your child has swallowed a foreign object, do not pick at the throat or induce vomiting because this can cause the object to get stuck deeper or move into the airway, endangering your child's life. Take your child immediately to a specialized medical facility for examination and timely treatment," Dr. Minh recommends.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chiec-khuyen-tai-di-lac-vao-da-day-be-gai-8-thang-tuoi-185250723163120604.htm