A mother has issued a cautionary alert after her child choked on a pull ring from a can that went undetected in hospital X-rays. In April, Holly Morrison, a resident of Belfast, recounted the harrowing incident involving her 10-year-old son Michael, who choked while engrossed in video games.
Despite being advised against putting objects in his mouth, Michael, who has autism and ADHD, had a tendency to chew on various items due to sensory challenges. Holly rushed him to the hospital, but an X-ray of his lungs failed to reveal the presence of the ring pull.
Subsequently, when Michael continued to experience wheezing, Holly sought advice on TikTok, where she learned that ring pulls are only visible on specific types of X-rays. Despite multiple visits to the hospital, medical professionals initially could not detect the ring pull in Michael’s lungs.
After several medical consultations and treatments, including inhalers, oral steroids, and antibiotics, Michael’s choking incidents persisted. It was only after persistent advocacy by Holly, who had researched and found information suggesting that standard X-rays might not detect ring pulls due to their density, that a consultant finally confirmed the issue.
Following this revelation, the ring pull was successfully removed. Holly commended the Belfast Trust for promptly addressing the issue and educating staff members about the detection challenges of ring pulls on X-rays. She emphasized the importance of advocating for proper medical attention and encouraged parents to assertively seek answers if they feel uncertain about their child’s health.
Dr. Julie-Ann Maney, a Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, acknowledged the rare but serious nature of swallowing a can ring pull and expressed gratitude for the insights gained from Michael’s case. The medical community has since shared learnings with relevant healthcare professionals to enhance awareness and improve patient care.
Holly’s proactive approach and perseverance in seeking appropriate medical intervention serve as a reminder for parents to prioritize their child’s health and advocate for thorough assessments when needed.