Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is Accidental Ingestion Of Watermelon Seed By An Infant A Cause For Concern?
Question: My neice is of 6 months, by mistake she took watermelon seed inside, i am asking wether taking watermelon seed cause a problem to her,?? Please suggest as i am panic due to my parents telling it creat complication. Is it so??
Brief Answer:
I won't be worried if there is no cough or breathing problem
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to healthcaremagic
I would like to know
1)How many seeds she has ingested?
2)Was there any cough/chocking symptoms at the time of ingestion?
If not then I won't be overly worried as it is most likely in the food pipe.
The mouth cavity is connected to both food pipe and wind pipe.In small children as the reflexes are not well developed there is possibility of the ingested material to move into the wind pipe instead of food pipe.
Once the foreign body gets into the wind pipe the symptoms like persistent cough and breathing difficulty develops.In that condition it needs to be removed through bronchoscope.
As the watermelon seed is small in size if it is in food pipe then it moves down and passes into the stool.
In the absence of cough and breathing difficulty the chances of complications are negligible.
Still I would like to get her clinically evaluated by a pediatrician for clinical examination and investigation like Xray if needed.
Please do ask if you have any more query.
Regards
I won't be worried if there is no cough or breathing problem
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to healthcaremagic
I would like to know
1)How many seeds she has ingested?
2)Was there any cough/chocking symptoms at the time of ingestion?
If not then I won't be overly worried as it is most likely in the food pipe.
The mouth cavity is connected to both food pipe and wind pipe.In small children as the reflexes are not well developed there is possibility of the ingested material to move into the wind pipe instead of food pipe.
Once the foreign body gets into the wind pipe the symptoms like persistent cough and breathing difficulty develops.In that condition it needs to be removed through bronchoscope.
As the watermelon seed is small in size if it is in food pipe then it moves down and passes into the stool.
In the absence of cough and breathing difficulty the chances of complications are negligible.
Still I would like to get her clinically evaluated by a pediatrician for clinical examination and investigation like Xray if needed.
Please do ask if you have any more query.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Sir its a single seed only, and it happened just 1 hr back, so i am not sure of her symptom but at a time she doesnt react at all. And now she went to sleep too. I would like to ask really it requires a checkup or its just uou told in general terms? Because i guess you might be in impression that she had lot of in consumption. How can we know wether seed went in wind or food pipe? I guess as she doesnt reacted at time it must be in food pipe. We immediately made her vomitting but she came out with liquid only. So whats your conclusion sir?
Brief Answer:
Observe for cough or breathing problem
Detailed Answer:
If the seed is in wind pipe it will cause cough and breathing problem.In the absence of these symptoms most likely it is in food pipe.
In present situation I usually suggest to observe the baby closely for symptoms like cough or breathing difficulty.
As the seed is an radio opaque material even a chest X ray will not help much if there are no symptoms.Loss of reaction may be just due to some swallowing difficulty.
If you are very much worried get him evaluated by a pediatrician to alleviate your anxiety.
Regards
Observe for cough or breathing problem
Detailed Answer:
If the seed is in wind pipe it will cause cough and breathing problem.In the absence of these symptoms most likely it is in food pipe.
In present situation I usually suggest to observe the baby closely for symptoms like cough or breathing difficulty.
As the seed is an radio opaque material even a chest X ray will not help much if there are no symptoms.Loss of reaction may be just due to some swallowing difficulty.
If you are very much worried get him evaluated by a pediatrician to alleviate your anxiety.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much sir, but if she is not reacting now and she went on sleep just now means that seed is not making trouble for her and that nust be in food pipe only as she breaths normally and not crying. Thats wat i am understanding. I will observe her stool too in the morning. And sir also suggest what food should be given to her at 6 months. For particularly this issue i just sick an information that it wont be dsngerous for her to sleep in night as well she will not make us run now only??
Brief Answer:
Mashed rice,dal ka pani,mashed boiled potato/apple
Detailed Answer:
Once the seed gets into the wind pipe, due to breathing difficulty the child would not be able to sleep.This suggests that it is in intestine.At 6 month of age complementary feed should be started.
Complementary feed should be started one by one so that If there is allergy or intolerance to any particular cereal that can be detected easily.
Started with semisolid food like mashed rice, ceralac, homemade fruit puree , mashed potato , mashed banana, you can add pulses after few days.Don't add salt,egg or cow milk till one year of age.
You can add butter/ghee to the rice/khichadi/dal after one month.
Continue breast feed 4-5 times a day (particularly during night time).
Observe foe cough,breathing difficulty or other abnormal symptoms.
Wish her good health
Regards
Mashed rice,dal ka pani,mashed boiled potato/apple
Detailed Answer:
Once the seed gets into the wind pipe, due to breathing difficulty the child would not be able to sleep.This suggests that it is in intestine.At 6 month of age complementary feed should be started.
Complementary feed should be started one by one so that If there is allergy or intolerance to any particular cereal that can be detected easily.
Started with semisolid food like mashed rice, ceralac, homemade fruit puree , mashed potato , mashed banana, you can add pulses after few days.Don't add salt,egg or cow milk till one year of age.
You can add butter/ghee to the rice/khichadi/dal after one month.
Continue breast feed 4-5 times a day (particularly during night time).
Observe foe cough,breathing difficulty or other abnormal symptoms.
Wish her good health
Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
