Foreign Body Ingestion
Foreign Body Ingestion in Children: What Parents Need to Know
Children are naturally curious and tend to explore the world by putting objects in their mouths. This can sometimes lead to the accidental ingestion of foreign objects such as coins, buttons, small toys, or even food items like nuts. While many objects pass harmlessly through the digestive system, some can cause serious problems, requiring immediate medical attention.
Common Objects Ingested by Children
- Coins
- Small toys or toy parts
- Button batteries (particularly dangerous)
- Magnets
- Jewelry
- Food items like nuts, seeds, or bones
Symptoms of Foreign Body Ingestion
Not all ingested objects cause immediate symptoms, but parents should be alert to the following signs, especially if the object is sharp, toxic, or could block the airways or digestive tract:
Choking or Gagging: If an object is stuck in the throat or airway, the child may choke, gag, or cough.
- Drooling: Difficulty swallowing may lead to increased drooling.
- Coughing: Persistent coughing or wheezing could indicate that an object is lodged in the windpipe or lungs.
- Chest or Abdominal Pain: Sharp objects may cause pain, while a blockage may cause discomfort or cramping in the stomach or chest area.
- Vomiting: This could indicate a blockage or irritation in the stomach or intestines.
- Refusing to Eat or Drink: Discomfort or pain from an ingested object may cause your child to avoid eating.
- Blood in Stool or Vomit: This is a sign of internal injury and requires immediate medical attention.
- Distress or Restlessness: Younger children may be unable to express discomfort, so unexplained irritability can be a sign.
What Parents Should Do
If you suspect your child has swallowed something:
- Stay Calm: Most objects pass through the digestive system without causing harm.
- Check for Breathing Issues: If your child is choking or having trouble breathing, seek immediate medical help.
- Don’t Induce Vomiting: For certain objects (like sharp items or batteries), vomiting could make things worse by causing further injury.
- Monitor for Symptoms: Watch for any signs of distress, abdominal pain, vomiting, or blood in stools.
- Call a Healthcare Professional: If you are concerned, contact your doctor or go to the emergency department, especially if you are unsure of what the child swallowed or the object is potentially dangerous (such as a button battery or magnet).
What to Expect in the Emergency Department
- X-rays or Imaging: If the ingested object is metallic or large, an X-ray may be performed to locate it.
- Endoscopy: For certain objects, like batteries or sharp items, an endoscope may be used to safely remove the object.
- Observation: If the object is small and not causing symptoms, the doctor may suggest observing the child until the object passes naturally.
Prevention Tips
- Supervise Meal Times: Make sure young children eat in a safe environment, avoiding foods that are hard to chew or swallow (e.g., nuts, seeds, popcorn).
- Keep Small Objects Out of Reach: Ensure that small toys, coins, and hazardous items like batteries are kept out of children’s reach.
- Check Toys: Inspect toys for small parts that could break off and be swallowed.
At Shire Doctors and Dentists, our team is experienced in assessing and managing cases of foreign body ingestion in children. If you suspect your child has swallowed something they shouldn’t have, please contact us or seek immediate medical attention.
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When you contact your Paediatrics & Child Health GP at Shire Doctors and Dentists, we help to diagnose your child’s health issues, and most importantly, find treatments and ways to manage these conditions to ease your concerns.
Sometimes all it takes is 10 minutes time with a Paediatrics & Child Health GP and it can save countless hours of worry, so please don’t hesitate to reach out – make an appointment online or by calling 02 9063 8650 to see a children’s health GP at Shire Doctors and Dentists today.
