Chinese boy, 7, ends up in ICU with severe abdominal pain after drinking iced beverages

The case of a seven-year-old Chinese boy who had to be sent to an intensive care unit (ICU) after drinking just two iced drinks has triggered a heated online discussion.The boy from central China’s Henan province was admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University recently.He showed symptoms of stomachache and vomiting, and was diagnosed with acute volvulus, a bowel obstruction resulting from a loop of intestine twisting around itself and its supporting tissue.A doctor at the hospital, Huo Yufeng, said the child also had serious necrosis, or death of cells and living tissue, in his bowel.A little girl in China uses a straw to drink an iced beverage. Photo: ShutterstockHe said the youngster had been playing outside in the hot weather and cried for a glass of iced cola. Then he asked for a cup of iced milk tea.Drinking too much iced and sweetened carbonated beverages was the cause of his suffering, according to Huo.Medical experts have advised children, especially those under three years old, to avoid drinking a sudden large amount of iced water on hot days, as their bowels have yet to develop and are fragile.They also advised elderly people with deteriorated bowel functions not to drink too much iced water as it might cause gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases.There is a widespread belief among Chinese women that they should avoid iced water during their periods.A group of happy children enjoy themselves while running around in a park. Photo: ShutterstockIn Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there is also a condition called “cold uterus”, and those with this condition are strongly advised not to consume cold food to avoid menstrual cramps.Further ReadingSome also have a foot bath during their periods to ensure the warm energy circulates around the whole body.TCM also believes that during the hottest days in a year, people should stay away from iced drinks, because they will cause a person’s qi, or energy, to become stuck in the body. TCM believes that a glass of warm water has a better cooling effect.The seven-year-old boy ended up in an intensive care unit, like the one pictured above. Photo: ShutterstockIt is advised that an adult consumes no more than 500ml iced drinks, and the amount is halved for children and elderly.It is also better to have iced drinks one to two hours after a meal, and people should avoid them on an empty stomach, or just after working out.“An adult might not even be able to stand two iced drinks in a row. The child’s family spoiled him too much. As the old saying goes, ‘to spoil the child is to ruin the child’,” said one online observer.“I have told my child to avoid drinking iced drinks after training,” said another.