An 18-month-old UAE toddler, Tamim, faced a life-threatening ordeal after accidentally swallowing a 5cm-long abaya pin that not only lodged itself in his liver but also pierced through his intestine.
The severity of the situation was realized by the parents nearly two days after the incident when the child was in evident distress, continuously crying and holding onto his belly. Upon recalling a recent event, the family suspected he might have ingested a pin.
The parents initially sought advice at a nearby medical facility which then directed them to Thumbay University Hospital for specialist care. A subsequent CT scan determined the exact pin location.
Dr Mufique Gajdhar, the pediatric surgeon at Thumbay University Hospital, and his team performed an emergency laparotomy to extract the pin and repair the affected internal organs. He noted, “The pin posed an imminent risk of severe infections and internal bleeding, potentially leading to fatal outcomes.”
This incident serves as a harrowing reminder of the risks children face by ingesting foreign objects. Last year, over 50 children were treated for similar issues at Al Qassimi Women’s and Children’s Hospital alone, with batteries, magnets, nails, and chicken bones being the usual culprits.
Dr Gajdhar stresses the paramount importance of childproofing homes, ensuring toys are age-appropriate, and being vigilant around kids. He also advised parents to rush for medical assistance if a child displays symptoms of having swallowed or inhaled a foreign item. Parents are also encouraged to teach their children about the hazards of ingesting unknown objects and ensure household items posing threats are securely stored.
Safety Measures for Parents:
Supervise children, particularly around small objects.
Childproof homes to keep hazards inaccessible.
Educate children about ingestion risks as they grow.
Ensure toys are age-appropriate and devoid of swallowable parts.
Securely store potential ingestible items.
If a child is suspected of swallowing a foreign item:
Monitor the child and rush to the emergency room.
Withhold food to aid potential medical procedures.
Don’t attempt to remove the object personally; seek medical help.
Stay calm and look for distress signs, acting promptly if they appear.
