A Chinese boy with heart disease tragically died in his mother’s arms while watching fireworks. - Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
BEIJING: A viral video of a 16-month-old boy in China, who tragically passed away in his mother’s arms while watching fireworks, has touched the hearts of millions of internet users.
The boy died from a ventricular septal defect, which accounts for about 40 per cent of all congenital heart disease cases in China, according to Elephant News.
Surveillance footage recorded on November 29 captured the mother cradling her baby as they watched fireworks in front of their home, with the boy’s father standing nearby.
Throughout the video, the mother is seen constantly wiping her tears, while the father approaches to kiss the baby’s face tenderly.
The father, surnamed Liu, who lives in Guiyang in southern Guizhou province, shared that they sensed their baby was nearing the end of his life that evening after enduring a long battle with heart illness.
“Someone happened to set off fireworks outside our house, so my wife took the baby out to see them,” he recounted. “As the fireworks ended, my son also left us.”
Liu explained that the baby was diagnosed with a severe jaundice problem at birth and was hospitalised for pneumonia at three months old, during which doctors discovered the heart defect.
The boy underwent heart surgery at five months old, but three days after the operation, his heart suddenly stopped. Doctors managed to resuscitate him, and he spent a month in the intensive care unit.
After being discharged, doctors advised the couple to discontinue further medical treatment.
“Doctors informed us that there were multiple holes in his heart and that additional surgeries would be futile,” the father said, expressing the anguish his baby had endured.
“We are heartbroken. There is no hope left for us. If there had been any possibility of curing my boy’s condition, we would have certainly sought further medical help,” Liu lamented.
The news sparked an outpouring of grief and sympathy on mainland social media.
“Since becoming a mother, I find myself in tears whenever I hear stories like this involving young children,” one online observer commented on Douyin.
“Rest in peace, little one. May you be free of pain in Heaven,” another user echoed.
Meanwhile, another commenter offered comfort to the family, saying: “The baby must be going to a place without suffering. The mother shouldn’t blame herself too much. Love yourself, and there will be hope for the future.” - South China Morning Post
