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Nephtheline ball
Hello my baby is 16 months old today he accidentally put the nephtheline ball to the mouth approximately 1 min we saw it and removed immediately. And these ball is much older and smaller in size . Upto 12 hours he had no symptoms. Any symptoms occur in future?
Answers (5)
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Monitor for 24–48 hrs for:
- Vomiting or sleepiness
- Breathing trouble
- Dark/red urine or yellow skin
Give fluids, keep baby active, and see a doctor if any symptoms appear.
Naphthalene can harm red blood cells, especially in babies with G6PD deficiency—even if signs show up later.
Next Steps
consult pediatrician in person for examination if any symptoms
Health Tips
Avoid such things in future
precaution is better than cure
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Hello, I understand your concern
No ingestion confirmed. Still, even brief contact can pose risks due to toxic vapors and surface absorption.
Monitor the symptoms for 2-3days
Next Steps
Encourage oral fluids.
Keep the child under observation at home.
Do not induce vomiting or give any home remedies.
Ensure all mothballs are stored out of reach of children.
Health Tips
Red flags:
Vomiting
Irritability or lethargy
Pale skin or yellowish eyes (jaundice)
Dark-colored urine
Fast breathing or poor feeding
If the child has known or suspected G6PD deficiency.
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Naphthalene is toxic if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through skin. Major risks include Hemolysis, especially in G6PD-deficient children, Vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, Methemoglobinemia.
Next Steps
Since your baby did not swallow the naphthalene ball and remains symptom-free even after 12 hours, serious toxicity is unlikely. However, please continue to observe him closely for the next 48 hours. If you notice any dark urine, pale or yellowish skin, vomiting, or unusual drowsiness, consult a pediatrician immediately.
If your child has G6PD deficiency or if you're unsure, it’s even more important to monitor. But for now, no treatment is needed unless symptoms appear.
Health Tips
Watch For next 24–48 Hours:
Pallor or yellowing of eyes/skin
Dark-colored urine
Vomiting or refusal to eat
Unusual drowsiness or irritability
Breathing difficulty
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Dr. Devaraja
Pediatrician
11 yrs exp
Coimbatore
Take him to a nearest hospital immediately..
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Dr. Anjali Maini
Pediatrician
33 yrs exp
Gurgaon
Naphthalene ball ingestion can have serious and life threatening, so please be careful in future - seems a lucky escape for now
A simple way will be to screen urine and blood
for any evidence of hemolysis
The baby may show symptoms in the form of seizures, altered consciousness, confusion or even diarrhea, vomitings, abdominal pain
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.