Key Takeaways
- 13-month-old Sam suffered heart attack and severe internal burns after drinking drain cleaner
- The baby mistook caustic soda in a white bottle for milk during bathroom cleaning
- He lost half his tongue and now faces difficulty eating and drinking
- Family seeking specialist treatment abroad through fundraising campaign
A 13-month-old Birmingham baby survived a heart attack and catastrophic injuries after accidentally drinking household drain cleaner he mistook for milk. Sam Anwar Alshameri now faces life-altering consequences including the loss of half his tongue.
Tragic Accident Details
The incident occurred in May last year when Sam crept behind his mother during bathroom cleaning. The toddler picked up a white bottle containing caustic soda that his mother had placed on the floor while unblocking the sink.
“He thought the bottle was milk,” said Sam’s father, Nadeen Alshameri, 37. “By the time we knew what had happened, it was already burning him.”
Severe Medical Consequences
The drain cleaner immediately burned Sam’s lips, mouth, tongue and airways. The chemical exposure triggered a heart attack that left him unconscious for three minutes.
Doctors described his survival as defying “million-to-one” odds. Sam was admitted to intensive care at Birmingham Children’s Hospital where tubes were inserted through his nose since he couldn’t eat normally after losing half his tongue.
Ongoing Health Challenges
Sam’s mouth has begun to seal shut from the burns, leaving only a tiny gap that’s too small to swallow food or drink. He currently remains on a waiting list for urgent reconstructive surgery.
“They brought him back to life and took him to intensive care. I can’t ever forget that moment,” Nadeen recalled of the traumatic incident.
Family Seeks Specialized Treatment
While Sam is currently out of hospital and being cared for at home, his family has launched a to raise funds for specialist treatment in Germany and Turkey. The campaign aims to provide the complex reconstructive surgery needed for Sam’s recovery.
