Toddler Survives Near-Fatal Drain Cleaner Ingestion: A Birmingham Family's Medical Emergency

A 13-month-old infant in Birmingham, UK experienced a devastating accident when he drank drain cleaner, mistaking it for milk. The toddler, Sam Anwar, suffered a heart attack, severe internal burns, and lost half his tongue as a result of the tragic mistake.

The incident occurred in May when young Sam slipped behind his mother Mukhtara, 27, who was cleaning the bathroom. Unnoticed, he picked up a white bottle of caustic soda that had been placed on the floor. The corrosive chemical immediately began burning his lips, mouth, tongue, and airway, causing critical injuries.

Sam was urgently transported to Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital, where his condition deteriorated rapidly. In the emergency department, he suffered a cardiac arrest that stopped his heart for approximately three minutes. The medical team successfully resuscitated him before transferring him to intensive care.

His father, Nadeen Alshameri, a 37-year-old warehouse worker, described the horrifying incident: "He thought the bottle was milk. By the time we knew what had happened, it was already burning him. When we went to the hospital it was burning his airway and his mouth, he can't say a word now. They told me they had never seen it before. They had to find the best doctor because it was the first time this had happened."

Medical professionals at Birmingham Children's Hospital treated Sam for two months in intensive care. The corrosive substance had caused such severe damage that he lost half of his tongue. Initially unable to eat, Sam had to be fed through a nasal tube.

As his treatment progressed, doctors removed the nasal feeding tube and inserted a permanent one directly into his stomach. His condition deteriorated further as his mouth began to close, leaving only a narrow opening that prevents him from swallowing food or liquids. The restricted opening has made it challenging for doctors to properly examine the inside of his mouth.

Healthcare providers described Sam's case as one of the most severe they had encountered in such a young child. They called his survival a "one-in-a-million outcome."

Now 18 months old, Sam has returned home but continues to depend entirely on a stomach feeding tube for nutrition. According to his father, he requires complex reconstructive surgery to repair the internal burns and "unlock" his mouth. Currently, Sam is on a waiting list for urgent surgery, though no date has been confirmed.

Facing significant financial challenges, Nadeen Alshameri has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for seeking specialized medical care for his son in Germany and Turkey.

"With rent, food, everything my wife and I we are just surviving. I can't save enough for surgery abroad. I need help. I'm so worried about my kid. This is my baby. I just want him to be okay," the concerned father explained.