On 4/7, representatives from the Ninh Binh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital reported a case of a one-month-old infant admitted with poor reflexes and hiccuping breaths. The medical team diagnosed the baby with opium poisoning and digestive problems. After administering an antidote, the baby is gradually recovering.
Opium residue, the leftover substance in a pipe after smoking, is often saved for later use. It is a dangerous, addictive substance whose use, transport, and sale are prohibited by law.
Despite the legal restrictions, some families still believe in a folk remedy of mixing opium residue with milk for infants to "strengthen their stomachs" or treat digestive issues. This practice has led to numerous cases of poisoning requiring emergency intervention.
In 2021, the National Children's Hospital in Hanoi also treated a two-day-old newborn poisoned by this folk remedy.
Doctors say the clearest signs of opium residue poisoning are reduced breathing rate, slowed breathing, which can progress to respiratory arrest, and constricted pupils. Other symptoms can include delirium, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, and hypothermia. The primary cause of death is oxygen deprivation.
Doctors strongly advise parents against using any "word-of-mouth" remedies for newborns. These remedies may contain toxins that can cause poisoning, respiratory depression, neurological suppression, and electrolyte imbalances. Without prompt medical attention, these substances can be life-threatening.
Le Nga
