Abu Dhabi authorities urged the public not to publish any recordings captured by surveillance systems on social media platforms
uae12 hours ago
Tamim, an 18-month-old toddler faced a life-threatening situation when he accidentally swallowed a 5cm-long abaya pin. This incident took a dangerous turn as the sharp pin pierced through, resulting in a perforated intestine and a pierced liver.
Tamim’s parents became aware of the severity of the situation nearly 48 hours after the incident when they noticed his distress, where he was crying and clutching his belly. “We did not know what was happening with him. He was crying continuously out of pain. We tried to recount if he had put something in his mouth, to which my daughter remembered that he had found a pin. That raised suspicion that he might have swallowed it,” said Mohammad Raghab, Tamim's father.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
The toddler required urgent medical attention and parents initially consulted doctors at a nearby medical facility, who then advised them to see a pediatric surgeon. Tamim was brought to Thumbay University Hospital, where a CT scan was performed to identify the exact location of the pin.
Dr Mufique Gajdhar, a pediatric surgeon at Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman, and his team conducted a critical laparotomy surgery to remove the lodged pin. “The 5cm-long abaya pin had lodged itself in the child’s liver, with its sharp end piercing through the intestine. This posed a grave risk of infection spreading to vital organs and damaging surrounding blood vessels, causing internal bleeding. In either case, the outcome could have been fatal,” said Dr Gajdhar.
The laparotomy procedure involved exploring the abdominal organs to locate and remove the sharp pin, repairing the perforated part of the duodenum (a part of the intestine), and addressing the potential damage to the liver.
Hospitals in the UAE have reported many cases of children swallowing chemicals, magnet balls, and small electronic objects. Last year, Al Qassimi Women's and Children's Hospital reported more than 50 children in one year, some of whom sustained severe damage to their digestive systems. The most common objects swallowed by children are batteries, magnets, nails, and chicken bones.
Dr Gajdhar reiterated the importance of childproofing and vigilant supervision especially when dealing with small objects. He cautioned against providing children under the age of 3 with toys containing small parts and stressed the need for securely fastened battery covers on battery-operated toys.
Dr Gajdhar urged parents to seek medical advice if a child begins choking or wheezing unexpectedly, as this could indicate inhalation of a foreign object. He also provided safety tips for parents, including supervision, childproofing, age-appropriate toys, secure storage of small objects, and educating children about the dangers of swallowing foreign items.
If your child has swallowed a foreign object, follow these steps:
ALSO READ:
Abu Dhabi authorities urged the public not to publish any recordings captured by surveillance systems on social media platforms
uae12 hours ago
Event will feature field scenarios that highlight the advanced combat capabilities of the Armed Forces
uae14 hours ago
'Farm to Haseer' showcased how local farms are thriving through resource-efficient practices
uae19 hours ago
The free run marked the final day of the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) that has turned the city into an open gym
uae20 hours ago
The run started little after 6.30am as police vehicles including a cyber Tesla truck led the way to ensure safety
uae23 hours ago
The restrictions have triggered mixed reactions from social workers
uae1 day ago
Sharing their stories from Ukraine to Illinois, Germany to Kenya, they paint a vivid picture of how motorcycling has become a powerful vehicle for women empowerment in the region
uae1 day ago
The Ministry of Interior called on the public to seek information from official sources
uae1 day ago