Amravati, Maharashtra: In a shocking and concerning medical case, doctors in Maharashtra’s Amravati city have surgically removed a hairball weighing nearly half a kilogram from the stomach of a 10-year-old girl.
After being brought to a private hospital 20 days ago, she underwent a series of medical tests and counselling. It was during this process that she revealed her long-standing habit of eating hair — a condition known as trichophagia, often linked to the psychological disorder trichotillomania.
Hair-Eating Habit Led to Dangerous Complications
Paediatric surgeon Dr Usha Gajbhiye, who performed the operation, said the girl’s symptoms pointed to a serious digestive issue. “Her medical examination revealed a large mass in her stomach, which turned out to be a hairball,” she told reporters.
The surgical team decided to proceed with an operation a few days ago. “We successfully removed a hairball weighing around 500 grams from her stomach,” Dr Gajbhiye said. “Following the surgery, she is now able to eat properly and is recovering well.”
The young patient is expected to be discharged soon, and doctors say she will likely need ongoing counselling to address the underlying behavioural issues.
This rare case highlights the importance of recognising unusual behavioural patterns in children and seeking timely medical attention.