What Will Happen When Your Kid Swallows 40 Pieces of Gum?

In a recent case study published in JEM Reports, a 5-year-old boy from Ohio found himself in a challenging predicament. After ingesting approximately 40 pieces of sugar-free gum, the young boy experienced discomfort and digestive issues. He was taken to the emergency room the following day with symptoms of cramps and diarrhea, indicating a potential obstruction in his gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

The medical team, led by Dr. Chizite Iheonunekwu from the Cleveland Clinic, began investigating the cause of the boy's discomfort. They suspected the presence of "bezoars," which are undigestible foreign objects commonly swallowed by children.

Using scans, the healthcare professionals confirmed their suspicions as they discovered a large mass of gum lodged in the boy's stomach. This sticky situation required immediate attention and intervention.

Clinicians checked for “bezoars,” otherwise known as indigestible foreign objects that children tend to swallow.

Science Direct

In order to remove the gum accumulation, the physicians utilized an esophagoscope, a metal tube, inserted down the boy's throat. Using forceps, they carefully grasped the sticky buildup and successfully extracted it. Though the procedure required multiple attempts, the young patient experienced a sore throat as a temporary side effect. However, the report indicates that he was eventually discharged without any long-term health complications.

Contrary to popular belief, which suggests that swallowed gum remains in the body for seven years, experts have debunked this common misconception. According to registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, if a person ingests gum, it typically passes through the digestive system and is expelled in the stool within approximately 40 hours. Since gum cannot be fully digested, it exits the body intact.

Nevertheless, regularly consuming gum should be avoided as it can lead to intestinal distress. Czerwony cautioned against making it a habitual practice, as it can potentially cause an intestinal blockage. Continuously ingesting gum impedes the normal flow of food through the digestive tract, resulting in pain, pressure, and a backup of undigested matter.