5-year-old girl swallows gold bar in Beijing

A five‑year‑old girl swallowed a gold bar while playing at home in northern China and was taken to Beijing Children's Hospital for emergency removal. The case gained attention after medical and cultural details were released.

How the gold bar ingestion occurred

According to the South China Morning Post, the bar measured about 4 cm in length and weighed 50 g. The child found it at home and, while playing, accidentally swallowed the object. The family took her to several clinics before finding a hospital with the appropriate equipment.

Medical risks of having gold in the stomach

Doctors warned that, because the bar is heavy, hard and slippery, it could become lodged in the digestive tract, scraping the gastric mucosa and causing perforation or severe bleeding. An X‑ray confirmed the foreign body’s presence in the stomach, a situation deemed critical.

Endoscopic removal procedure

Beijing Children's Hospital used an endoscopic loop technique, inserting a thin, flexible tube through the throat into the stomach. The physician grasped the bar with a specialized loop and withdrew it slowly. The process lasted only a few minutes and was completed without complications.

Child's recovery and guidance for parents

After removal, the girl showed stable vital signs and recovered well. Health authorities reiterate that, in cases of object ingestion, parents should seek immediate medical care and avoid home remedies such as vinegar or rice.

Cultural context and public reaction

The incident was linked to Chinese folklore, which includes mythical creatures called “gold‑devouring beasts.” Parents often joke by calling children “two‑legged animals that swallow gold.” The story sparked comments about the need for supervision and the presence of valuable objects within children’s reach.

With information from Extra online, Vietnam.vn, iG Último Segundo.