About this topic
Foreign body ingestion is when your child puts something other than food in their mouth and swallows it. Children between 6 months and 3 years of age are most likely to swallow things that are not food. Some children swallow coins, small toys, or rocks. Others swallow things like marbles or pins. Small magnets or button batteries are very dangerous when a child swallows them. Many times, an adult does not see the child swallow the object. The child may or may not show any signs of having swallowed something. Swallowing some objects can cause serious problems. ‚
What are the causes?
- Children explore by putting things in their mouths
- Your child may be bored or busy playing
- Your child may be copying some other childs actions
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Small objects like coins, buttons, and magnets are within reach of the child
- Foods that are choking hazards are served to small children. This includes things like nuts, popcorn, whole grapes, and hard candy.
What are the main signs?
- Throat problems like trouble or pain with swallowing, sore throat, or a sense of being full in the throat
- Belly pain
- Blood in spit
- Not wanting to eat
- Drooling, gagging, or throwing up
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing, wheezing, or cough
- Fever
- Fussiness
If your child puts something in the mouth, your child may also try to put something in their nose or ear. Your childs doctor can check to make sure that this is not the case. ‚
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
The doctor will take your childs history and do an exam. ‚
The doctor may order: ‚
- Chest or belly x-ray ¢ ˆ ’ A test that takes a picture of the chest or belly. Most foreign bodies ingested by children can be seen on an x-ray.
- Endoscope ¢ ˆ ’ A tool used to look into your child's GI tract to find the foreign body. The endoscope may also be used to take out the foreign body. Using an endoscope will call for a specialist, such as an ear-nose-throat doctor or a gastroenterology (GI) doctor.
- Metal detector ¢ ˆ ’ A handheld metal detector can be used to find a foreign object that is made of metal, such as a coin.
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Care depends on the type of foreign body and where it is found in your childs GI tract. A number of ways may be used to remove the foreign body. Your child may need to be sedated before the foreign body is taken out. Most often, the staff will put an I.V. in your child's arm to give fluids and drugs. Your child will be given a drug to make them sleepy. It will also help your child stay pain free during the procedure. ‚
- Endoscopy ¢ ˆ ’ Used most often to take out a foreign body, especially sharp or pointed objects. An endoscope is a tube with a light at the end. The doctor looks in your child's GI tract to find and remove the foreign body.
- Foley catheter method ¢ ˆ ’ A thin tube with a balloon on the end is placed behind the foreign object. The balloon is then blown up and the tube is withdrawn slowly, drawing out the foreign body with it.
- Bougienage method ¢ ˆ ’ A bougie is a tool that is used to push a foreign body into your child's stomach so it can pass through the rest of the GI tract without a problem.
- Observation ¢ ˆ ’ Most swallowed objects pass through the GI tract without causing harm once they have reached the stomach. If an x-ray shows that the foreign body is the stomach, your child may be given food and drink. You may be told to check your child's stool daily until the foreign object is passed.
Button batteries may cause serious problems. The batteries may become stuck in the food tube or esophagus. This tube goes between the mouth and the stomach. If the batteries are there, they may need to be taken out right away. If the batteries are in the stomach or bowels, they may not need to be removed. You may need to watch your child's stools carefully for the next 3 days to see if the batteries pass. ‚
Swallowing more than one magnet may raise the chance of serious harm to your child. The magnets will likely need to be taken out. Your child may need surgery to have them removed. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Pain or swelling of the lining of the GI tract
- GI tract block
- Infection
- Poor blood flow to the GI tract. This may happen if more than one magnet was swallowed.
- Hole in GI tract
- GI tract scarring
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Keep all small objects out of your childs reach.
- Teach your child not to put foreign objects into the mouth.
- Be careful with button batteries and small magnets. They are often found in children's toys. Store and get rid of them out of reach of your child.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Pediatrics ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/Pages/Choking-Prevention.aspx ‚
Better Health Channel ‚
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Toddlers_and_choking ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/safety_choking.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚