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Mortality in a case of crystal gel ball ingestion: an alert for parents

Bilal Mirza1, Afzal Sheikh

  • 1Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Children's Hospital and the Institute of Child Health Lahore, Pakistan.

APSP Journal of Case Reports
|September 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Decorative crystal gel balls pose a serious ingestion risk for infants, potentially causing intestinal obstruction. This case highlights the critical need for awareness and prevention of pediatric exposure to these hazardous decorative items.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastrointestinal Complications
  • Toxicology of Ingested Foreign Bodies

Background:

  • Decorative crystal gel balls are visually appealing and may be mistaken for toys by young children.
  • Accidental ingestion of foreign bodies in infants can lead to severe gastrointestinal emergencies.

Observation:

  • A 6-month-old infant presented with symptoms of subacute intestinal obstruction.
  • Surgical exploration revealed jejunal obstruction caused by ingested crystal gel balls.

Findings:

  • The infant underwent enterotomy and mass removal, followed by primary closure.
  • Postoperative complications included anastomotic disruption, leading to re-operation.
  • The infant developed septicemia and unfortunately succumbed to the complications.

Implications:

  • Highlights the critical need for parental education on the dangers of decorative gel balls.
  • Emphasizes the importance of prompt surgical intervention in cases of suspected intestinal obstruction due to foreign body ingestion.
  • Underscores the potential for fatal outcomes from seemingly innocuous decorative items in pediatric populations.

Keywords:
Jelly ballsMortalityCrystal balls

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