HYDERABAD: In a rare case, addiction to mobile game,

, almost cost a 19-year-old from

his life. The BSc second-year student landed at ICU of a hospital recently where doctors attending to him said he developed brain clots (thrombosis) and was suffering from acute weight loss, poor nutrition, dehydration. He was also detected with acute mental stress that doctors said was caused due to competing in the game. Following days of treatment, he was discharged on Saturday.

On August 26, the teenager was rushed to the hospital after he complained of being unable to move his right leg and hand. “Since his entire focus was on the game, he admitted to consuming very little food and water and being sleep deprived. The condition led to thickening of venous blood in brain and few clots were developed,” said Dr K

, senior neuro-physician, Sunshine Hospital.

He said: “During one month when he was hooked to the game for six-seven hours every day, he lost 3-4 kgs of weight. In fact, days before he was brought to hospital he complained of headache and vomiting. He was very drowsy when he was brought to the hospital and could barely respond.”

Confirming his addiction to PUBG, the boy’s mother said that he would start around 9pm and play up to 3am or 4am. He stopped only when he had to step out for his part time job as a newspaper boy. Even between attending college, during the day, he would log onto the game whenever he found some time. “In our village, people usually sleep early. But even after the lights went out, he played the game hiding inside the blanket. He lost interest in everything, including food, and kept playing the entire day whenever he had a holiday,” said the mother. “He has been a good student and even got distinction in Class X. Hope, after this, he is cured of the addiction,” she added.