Infant Endures 600 Needle Wounds in Shocking Folk Therapy Case
A deeply disturbing case of alleged child abuse has emerged from China, where a 10-month-old baby boy was hospitalized with hundreds of needle wounds reportedly inflicted by his own mother. The infant was rushed to medical care with severe injuries that shocked healthcare professionals and sparked a formal investigation.
Medical Emergency and Hospital Admission
The baby was admitted to the People's Hospital in southwestern China's Yunnan province on December 16, 2026, according to medical documentation. Spine Surgeon Dr. Sui Wenyuan, who documented this harrowing case through an online video, reported that the child arrived at the Pediatrics Department with numerous puncture wounds and dark scabs covering his feet, head, and torso.
Upon examination, medical professionals discovered the infant had suffered between 500 to 600 separate needle punctures, creating a pattern of injuries that covered significant portions of his small body. The child was reportedly suffering from fever and convulsions when he first reached the hospital, requiring immediate medical intervention.
The Alleged Folk Therapy Method
According to the investigation, the baby's mother had been using a traditional folk "needling" method as a form of treatment. This practice, which appears rooted in superstitious beliefs, involved puncturing the child's skin with needles whenever he developed symptoms like cold or fever.
The mother allegedly viewed this painful procedure as both a medical treatment and a form of punishment for perceived misbehavior, creating a dangerous combination of traditional belief and disciplinary action that put the infant's life at serious risk.
Surgical Intervention Required
The situation reached a critical point when the mother inserted a needle typically used for sewing shoe soles into the child's neck. During this procedure, the needle's tip broke off and became embedded in the cervical spine, requiring immediate surgical removal.
"We completed all necessary tests and successfully performed the surgery on the same day as the consultation," Dr. Sui Wenyuan stated regarding the emergency procedure. The surgical team worked quickly to remove the rusty metal shard from the infant's spine, addressing what could have become a life-threatening complication.
Recovery and Investigation
Following the surgery, the child's condition showed significant improvement. "The child had a high fever, possibly due to rust on the needle," Dr. Sui explained. "However, three to four days after the operation, his temperature dropped and he was transferred out of intensive care."
A joint investigation was launched involving multiple government agencies including the Public Security Bureau, health commission, civil affairs department, and women's federation. Their official statement released on January 21 confirmed that the needle wounds were indeed inflicted by the mother during her attempts at traditional treatment.
The investigation suggested that lack of education and scientific knowledge, combined with emotional anxiety, contributed to the mother's dangerous behavior. This case has raised serious questions about traditional folk remedies and parental education regarding child healthcare practices.
