In shocking news from the National Capital Delhi, a 26-year-old man swallowed 39 coins and 37 magnets to fulfil the zinc requirement in the body. The man was suffering from severe abdominal pain and vomiting for the past 20 days before reaching out to doctors of Ganga Ram Hospital. The coins and magnets were removed but what led to this situation? Here’s what doctors have to say.
The relatives of the patient disclosed that he had been consuming coins and magnets for several weeks while receiving treatment for a known psychiatric condition. An x-ray of his abdomen revealed radio-opaque shadows resembling coins and magnets, prompting further investigation.
Subsequently, a CT scan unveiled a significant accumulation of coins and magnets, leading to intestinal obstruction and necessitating immediate surgical intervention. A total of 39 coins (in denominations of Rs 1, 2, and 5) and 37 magnets were extracted from the patient’s stomach.
What’s zinc deficiency? Doctors take
Talking to financialexpress.com, Dr Ajay Agarwal of Fortis Hospital emphasised the global significance of zinc deficiency, stating, “Zinc plays a role in growth, tissue repair, and wound healing. It is also involved in lipid and glucose metabolism and in immunity and the response to infection.”
Additionally, Dr Tushar Tayal, Lead Consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, highlighted factors intensifying zinc deficiency, including low dietary intake, poor hygiene, recurrent infections, and socioeconomic status.
He added, “The recommended dietary allowance for elemental zinc is 11 mg daily for men and 8 mg daily for nonpregnant women.” However, he cautioned about potential complications of long-term zinc supplementation, such as copper deficiency leading to reversible blood defects and potentially irreversible neurological manifestations.
