Many people believe that by putting silver bracelets on newborns, they can be kept safe and healthy. Older generations also believe that giving children silver bracelets can ward off evil spirits, calm the mind, and drive away illness. Recently, a mother noticed that the silver bracelet on her baby's wrist had discoloured, and she suspected her baby had been poisoned. She took the baby to the hospital for an examination and discovered that a certain index was very high and required timely treatment.
According to a report from mainland media company "Western Decision", a mother in Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, noticed her one-year-old child crying frequently in recent days. She discovered that the silver bracelet the baby was wearing on its wrist had discoloured. Reminiscent of the plot device "silver needle to test for poison" from historical dramas, she suspected the baby might have been poisoned. She then took the baby to the hospital for examination, where it was found that the baby's urine mercury levels were too high. The hospital immediately began treatment.
The report states that the mother revealed that she had accidentally broken a mercury thermometer while taking her child's temperature. Although she had dealt with it properly at the time, the hospital, for safety reasons, examined the child and found that the child's urine mercury levels were several times higher than the standard. The child was subsequently admitted to hospital for treatment.
Illustration/Not the person concerned (Photo: Xu Luoheng)
When asked about this matter, paediatrician Dr. Chan Yan-wing stated: "The tarnishing of silver has no relationship with an individual's physical condition, nor does it have any direct impact. Furthermore, bodily functions will not change or cause discolouration to reflect your health status after wearing silver."
Paediatrician Dr Chan Yan Wing
Original URL: 1-year-old baby wearing silver bracelet suddenly changes colour, sent to hospital for examination, urine mercury exceeds standard | Hong Kong 01 https://www.hk01.com/sns/article/796362
