Question
A young child accidentally ate glass shards from a broken beer bottle, and the parents are worried about the possibility of the child ingesting the shards, and inquire about possible adverse effects.
Answer
Generally, the human digestive system has considerable resilience and digestive power, so even if small and sharp objects are swallowed, they may be expelled through the gastrointestinal system. However, for young children, whose digestive functions are not yet fully mature, the likelihood of expelling the shards is lower, which may cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, when it is discovered that a child has swallowed glass shards, medical attention should be sought immediately. The doctor will determine whether endoscopy surgery is needed to remove the shards based on the size and sharpness of the glass fragments, a decision that will be made on a case-by-case basis.