10-Year-Old Girl Suffered Sto.mach Pain for Three Years—Doctors Were Shocked by What They Found

A mysterious stomachache hid an unexpected condition for three long years.

For three years, a 10-year-old girl experienced persistent abdominal pain that puzzled both her family and local doctors. Despite multiple medical visits, routine examinations failed to identify the cause. It was only after she was referred to specialists that physicians uncovered a surprising and potentially dangerous condition hidden inside her stomach.

The girl, from Fujian Province, China, reportedly suffered recurring stomach pain, poor appetite, and gradual weight loss. Although her symptoms continued for years, the underlying problem remained undiagnosed.

Concerned about her worsening condition, her family eventually brought her to the Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition at Fujian Children's Hospital for a more comprehensive evaluation.

After conducting detailed examinations, doctors discovered an unusually large mass occupying nearly three-quarters of the girl's stomach.

Further investigation through endoscopy revealed that the mass was not a tumor as initially feared. Instead, it was a trichobezoar—a compact ball of hair that had accumulated inside her stomach over a long period.

Doctors explained that hair cannot be digested by the human body. When swallowed repeatedly, it remains in the stomach, gradually becoming entangled with mucus and food particles until it forms a dense mass known as a hair bezoar.

Physicians diagnosed the girl with Rapunzel syndrome, a rare medical condition usually associated with the repeated swallowing of hair. In severe cases, the hairball can extend beyond the stomach into the intestines, leading to life-threatening complications.

If left untreated, the condition may cause intestinal obstruction, malnutrition, anemia, stomach ulcers, or even perforation of the digestive tract.

According to the girl's parents, they had occasionally noticed strands of hair missing over the years but never suspected she had developed the habit of swallowing it. As time passed, the hair accumulated inside her stomach until it became too large to pass naturally.

Because the mass was exceptionally large and tightly compacted, doctors first attempted to soften it before carefully removing it using specialized medical instruments during a lengthy procedure.

The operation was successful, and physicians removed a remarkable amount of hair from the girl's stomach.

Following treatment, the child recovered well. Her abdominal pain gradually disappeared, her appetite improved, and she was discharged from the hospital after her condition stabilized. She will continue receiving follow-up care to ensure a full recovery.

Medical experts say this case serves as an important reminder that unusual behaviors such as hair pulling and hair swallowing should never be overlooked.

Hair-eating behavior, known medically as trichophagia, is often associated with trichotillomania, a condition in which individuals repeatedly pull out their own hair. These behaviors may be linked to emotional stress, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, or other psychological factors.

In some cases, nutritional deficiencies—particularly low iron levels—have also been suggested as contributing factors, although further evaluation is usually needed.

Doctors encourage parents to pay close attention if children develop unexplained digestive symptoms alongside unusual habits such as chewing or swallowing hair. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent serious complications and support both physical and emotional well-being.

While Rapunzel syndrome is extremely rare, this case highlights the importance of seeking specialist evaluation whenever persistent abdominal pain remains unexplained despite routine medical examinations.