What to Do when a Child Swallows a Foreign Object
Preparing for Such an Emergency Can Save Parents a Great Deal of
We all remember the incident as children when a friend or sibling put something into their mouth and swallowed it. Panicked adults consulted as they tried to decide whether to call an ambulance, jump into the car to rush the child to the hospital, contact the doctor, or do nothing since whatever was swallowed "would probably pass."
The truth is, if a person swallows an object it usually does pass through the digestive system causing no harm. How do we determine, then, when something is swallowed what is, and is not, a dangerous situation?
The esophagus is the tube which connects your throat and stomach. If a swallowed object becomes caught in the esophagus it might block the airway. If the object is pointed it could damage the esophageal lining. In both of these cases, the object must be quickly removed.
Emergency room doctors increasingly see small children who have swallowed tiny watches or batteries. These must be immediately removed, as they contain acids which could harm any number of areas in the body.
If you find yourself responsible for removing an object which someone has swallowed, the most effective method is using the well-known Heimlich method.
In any event, talk with your pediatrician about how he or she determines what he would do if his own child swallows something. It will provide you with important information for evaluating your options if a child swallows a foreign object.
Published by Robert Besser
Twenty-five years as a reporter, editor and newspaper publisher. I also have worked in network television news and politics. View profile
- Choosing the Right Book for Your Child, Birth Through Age 5The language of every child contributes to and is developed by reading. The path begins with listening to stories, then following the adult read to self-reading for enjoyment and meaning. Along this part, the most imp...
- Esophagus CancerTwo types of esophagus cancer. This cancer attributed to many causes including smoking, exposure to chemicals & certain diseases. Related symptoms include: difficulty swallowing, weight loss, hoarseness & coughing up...
- Raising Your Child to Be a ReaderChildren who learn to read and gain an appreciation for it do better in all grade levels of school and college. Raising a child who loves to read is not difficult, it just takes a few moments out of each day.
- Helping Your Child Navigate Parental Separation and DivorceA child is going to navigate the choppy waters of divorce based on how his or her parents react to the situation and how open they are to putting the child's feelings first.
- Volunteer in Your Child's ClassroomVolunteering at your child's school will have a positive impact on you, your child, and the classroom. Yes, it's extra work, but the job comes with loads of benefits. There are even ways to make it happen when you w...
- When Children Swallow Foreign Objects
- Cut Back on Your Child's Schedule and Cut Back on Your Stress
- Talking to Your Child About Underage Drinking
- Teaching Manners to a Special Needs Child
- How to Fill an Easter Basket for Your Child
- How to Choose the Best Daycare for You and Your Child
- Purchasing a Bed for a Child
- Children swallowing small objects is fairly common
- Most objects will pass through a child causing no harm
- Pointed objects, or small batteries, must be immediately removed
1 Comments
Post a CommentWhen a child places an object in his mouth and begins coughing, that object may end up in his lungs. Even a benign object such as a piece of macoroni can cause serious damage. Look out for frequent coughing, fever, and trouble breathing. The diagnosis is made from a chest x-ray.