Israeli Infant Undergoes Emergency Surgery After Swallowing Family Amulet Safety Pin

A six-month-old baby named Adir David was rushed to Hadassah Medical Center in Ein Kerem after swallowing an open safety pin attached to a family gold amulet. The amulet, shaped like a small fish, had been passed down in the family for about 40 years and was believed to protect against the evil eye. Adir's parents had hung it above his crib, trusting it would safeguard him, but the pin became a life-threatening hazard.

The incident occurred in a young family's home in a moshav in the Judean Hills. Adir's mother, Tair, recounted that shortly after putting him to sleep, she heard choking sounds and crying. She immediately noticed the safety pin was missing and suspected he had swallowed it. After her husband, Yosef, arrived and Adir began vomiting blood, they rushed to a clinic where an X-ray confirmed the pin was inside the infant's stomach.

At Hadassah, pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Ze'ev Davidovich explained the danger: the open safety pin's sharp end had pierced the stomach wall, posing a serious risk of perforation. The medical team performed an urgent endoscopic procedure, carefully extracting the pin without causing further injury. The operation lasted about 30 minutes and was successful, with Adir recovering well shortly after.

Tair emphasized the importance of caution, urging parents not to hang any objects, including pins, jewelry, or amulets, above or near infants' beds, regardless of sentimental value. Dr. Davidovich added that swallowing foreign sharp objects is a known but dangerous occurrence, and immediate medical attention is critical even if the child appears calm. He warned that such objects can cause internal bleeding, perforation, and life-threatening infections.

The family is relieved that Adir suffered no lasting harm, but their experience serves as a stark warning about the hidden dangers of seemingly harmless items around babies.