Two-Year-Old Saved from Mercury Poisoning at Delhi Hospital
A two-year-old child in Delhi was saved after swallowing mercury from a broken thermometer. Initially, there were no signs of pain or vomiting, making it hard to determine the mercury ingestion level. The child was given laxatives, but an X-ray showed mercury throughout the bowel. Dr. Sufla Saxena and her team at HCMCT Manipal Hospital performed an urgent colonoscopy and bowel lavage to remove the mercury. The child was discharged the next day, and a follow-up X-ray confirmed the mercury was cleared, avoiding further treatment. Dr. Saxena emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and timely procedures in preventing mercury toxicity.
Doubts Revealed
Mercury Poisoning -: Mercury poisoning happens when someone swallows or touches mercury, a shiny, silver liquid found in some thermometers. It can be very dangerous if it gets inside the body.
Thermometer -: A thermometer is a tool used to measure temperature, like when you have a fever. Some old thermometers have mercury inside, which is not safe if it leaks out.
X-ray -: An X-ray is a special picture that doctors take to see inside your body, like your bones or stomach, to find out what’s wrong.
Colonoscopy -: A colonoscopy is a medical test where doctors use a tiny camera to look inside your tummy to check for problems.
Bowel Lavage -: Bowel lavage is a procedure where doctors clean out the stomach and intestines to remove harmful substances, like mercury.
HCMCT Manipal Hospital -: HCMCT Manipal Hospital is a big hospital in Delhi where doctors help people get better when they are sick.
Dr. Sufla Saxena -: Dr. Sufla Saxena is a doctor who helped the little child get better by removing the mercury from their tummy.
Mercury Toxicity -: Mercury toxicity means having too much mercury in the body, which can make someone very sick if not treated quickly.