How To Save Your Child When They’ve Swallowed A Dangerous Object!

Raising a child is no easy task. Especially when it comes to ensuring that they avoid ingesting foreign substances.

Because let’s face it, Children sometimes swallow things such as coins, small toys or beads.

Most objects that children swallow are harmless, and are passed through the digestive system and out with the faeces (poo) without any problem.

Sometimes, swallowed objects get stuck in the oesophagus (food pipe) and may not pass into the stomach. In these cases, a doctor will need to remove the object!

In the event that you believe your child has swallowed something dangerous, you should rush them to the ER of the nearest hospital or call an ambulance.

Do not induce vomiting.

This is because the said object that the child swallowe could be stuck in the oesophagus and in under two hours, cause death!

Additionally, magnets are extremely dangerous if swallowed by children.

In the event that you think your child has swallowed a magnet, you should take them to the nearest hospital for treatment.
Especially if the child has swallowed more than one magnet!

How To Tell If You Child Has Swallowed A foreign Object

Interestingly, most children have no symptoms after swallowing a foreign object. In fact, rarely will the object cause the child to react.

However, you should immediately take your child to the emergency room if the following symptoms occur:

trouble swallowing food

drooling

pain in the chest or neck

Additionally, if the object gets stuck in the stomach or intestines, you should take them to the emergency room if:

there’s ongoing vomiting

abdominal (tummy) pain

Blood in their vomit

A Fever

Treatment In Hospital

In hospital, a doctor or nurse will ask what your child has swallowed.

An X-ray may be done if the swallowed object is made of material that shows up on an X-ray, or if your child has worrying symptoms.

Depending on what the object is and where it is in the digestive system, the object may need to be removed.

Some objects can harm the body and may need to be removed urgently. These include button batteries and magnets.

Objects in the oesophagus often need to be removed. This will depend on your child’s symptoms.

Most objects in the stomach or further along (in the intestines) will pass safely on their own.

Care at home

If doctors are unable to see a swallowed object on an X-ray and your child has no worrying symptoms, it is OK to take your child home.

Observe them for any developing symptoms and take your child back to hospital if they have:

abdominal pain

ongoing vomiting

blood in their vomit or faeces

fever

After going home, most children will not need any follow up or further X-rays.

There is no need to examine your child’s faeces to find the swallowed object.

If your child has swallowed a harmless object and is showing no symptoms, there is no need to seek medical advice unless you are concerned about your child.