AMRAVATI, Maharashtra — July 30: Doctors in Maharashtra’s Amravati city successfully removed a half-kilogram hairball from the stomach of a 10-year-old girl who had been experiencing severe digestive issues for several months.
The child was brought to a private hospital nearly 20 days ago with persistent symptoms, including vomiting, loss of appetite, and weight loss that had continued for nearly six months, said Dr. Usha Gajbhiye, a paediatric surgeon at the facility.
“During medical counselling and examination, the girl admitted that she had a long-standing habit of eating her own hair,” Dr. Gajbhiye told reporters on Tuesday.
Imaging and diagnostic tests confirmed the presence of a large mass of hair—medically known as a trichobezoar—in her stomach. “The hair had formed into a dense ball that was obstructing her digestion. We decided to go ahead with surgery,” she said.
The operation was performed a few days ago, during which nearly 500 grams of hair were extracted from the child’s stomach.
“The surgery went smoothly. The girl is now eating well and is no longer experiencing digestive discomfort,” Dr. Gajbhiye said, adding that she is expected to be discharged soon.
Doctors have advised follow-up care and counselling to prevent recurrence of the condition, which is often linked to psychological factors such as stress or pica—a disorder involving the compulsive eating of non-food items.
