Curiosity took a dangerous turn for an 11-year-old boy in China who reportedly swallowed a gold bar weighing 100 grams. The incident occurred in Jiangsu province earlier this month, as reported by Modern Express.
After ingesting the solid metal object, the boy complained to his parents about stomach discomfort and swelling. Concerned, they rushed him to the Suzhou University Affiliated Children’s Hospital, where doctors conducted a full medical evaluation.
X-rays revealed a dense metallic object lodged in the boy’s intestinal tract. Given that he wasn’t exhibiting any acute symptoms, the medical team initially opted for a conservative treatment plan.
Doctors administered medication to induce diarrhea in hopes that the gold bar would pass through his system naturally.
Two days, no movement
Despite two days of monitoring and treatment, the gold bar remained in place. A follow-up X-ray showed no change in position, raising concerns among the surgical team. Physicians began to worry that the lodged object could lead to serious complications, such as a rupture in the intestinal wall.
Gold bar was removed after surgery
With potential risks mounting, doctors decided to proceed with an emergency surgery. To avoid large incisions, surgeons employed an endoscopic foreign object removal technique.
Two surgeons performed the operation, and the gold bar was safely removed within 30 minutes.
The young patient recovered swiftly following the procedure. Within two days, he was back on a regular diet and showed no lingering symptoms from the incident.
Internet reacts with disbelief
Social media was abuzz with incredulous reactions once news of the incident spread.
One user joked, “Swallowing pills is hard enough for me. A gold bar?”
Another quipped, “Did he think it was a chocolate bar?”
While the story drew laughs online, it also served as a reminder of the unexpected consequences of childhood curiosity—and the skill of the doctors who ensured a safe outcome.
