Question
My baby is 16 months old and accidentally swallowed a platinum ring. It’s been 12 days and the ring hasn’t been expelled yet. Are there any methods to help the ring come out? Do we need to undergo surgery? What are the dangers if the ring stays in the baby’s body for a long time? Generally speaking, how long can such a ring stay inside the body?
Answer
In most cases, a swallowed ring by a baby may pass through the body with feces, as food can wrap around the ring, preventing it from being absorbed by the body. Parents should not be overly concerned and can temporarily observe. It is recommended that parents give their baby more bananas, vegetables, and fruits, as these foods help to moisturize the intestines and promote bowel movements, facilitating the expulsion of foreign objects. Generally, foreign objects may be expelled from the body within 2-3 days. If the baby experiences abdominal pain, it should be checked promptly to determine if it is due to an intestinal obstruction caused by the ring. At this point, a B-ultrasound and X-ray examination may be needed to monitor the position of the ring. If the ring stays in the body for too long, it may cause digestive tract damage or infections and other complications.