A girl aged nearly two risks being unable to eat normally over the last few years owing to a battery that she swallowed and that affected her esophagus. The child found the battery in the house and swallowed it. It remained stuck in the esophagus for over six hours. The parents took the girl to the Hancesti District Hospital, but the child was transferred to Chisinau as she was in a critical state.
Head of the Endoscopy Section Valentinа Rascov has told IPN that the girl suffered a profound perforation of the esophagus owing to the acids from the battery that dissolved in the mucus of the esophagus. The ulceration may cause hemorrhage or narrowing of the esophagus. The child will undergo endoscopic treatment during a period of about two years so that she is able to eat normally.
The doctor said the girl is now out of danger, but she is fed through probe. A battery or a magnet that look inoffensive can lead to child’s death. Doctor’s assistance is required immediately in order to avoid fatal cases.
The parents are warned to be attentive to the small objects they leave near children. Even after undergoing difficult surgery and long treatment aimed at removing the negative effects after inhaling or swallowing foreign bodies, some of the children never recover fully.
Doctors urge the parents not to leave magnets, batteries and other dangerous objects within children’s reach. According to the National Health Management Center, 2,427 children aged between 0 and 5 suffered injuries at home last year. Of them, 51 died.
