WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What is foreign body ingestion? A foreign body is an object your child swallowed. Coins, button batteries, small toys, and screws are commonly swallowed objects. A foreign body can cause problems as it moves through your child's digestive system. Foreign body ingestion is most common in children ages 6 months to 3 years. This is because babies and toddlers learn by putting objects in their mouths. What are the signs and symptoms of foreign body ingestion? Your child may not have any symptoms, or he may have any of the following: - Not wanting to eat, or refusing food offered to him
- Drooling or vomiting
- Bloody vomit or rectal bleeding
- Chest pain, abdominal pain, or a feeling that something is stuck
- Irritability and changes in behavior
How is foreign body ingestion diagnosed? Your child's healthcare provider will examine his throat, chest, and abdomen. Tell him what type of object your child swallowed and when he swallowed it. He may use any of the following to find the object: - A barium swallow or other x-rays may be used to check your child's neck, chest, and abdomen. He will drink thick liquid called barium while healthcare providers take x-rays. Barium helps his esophagus and stomach show up on x-rays.
- A metal detector may be used to look for coins or other metal objects in your child's body.
- A CT may be used to check for objects in your child's esophagus or stomach. He may be given contrast liquid to help his stomach show up better. Tell the healthcare provider if your child has ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid.
- Endoscopy may be used to see the inside of your child's digestive system. A scope is a long, bendable tube with a light on the end of it. A camera attached to the scope will take pictures.
How is foreign body ingestion treated? Your child's healthcare provider may want to observe your child for 24 hours or longer. Most objects pass through the digestive system and come out in a bowel movement. Objects that are small or smooth will often pass without a problem. Search for the object every time your child has a bowel movement. What can I do to prevent another foreign body ingestion? - Cut your child's food into small pieces. Remind him to chew his food well before he swallows. Do not give your child hard foods, such as nuts or hard candy. Do not allow your child to run with food in his mouth.
- Keep small objects out of your child's reach. Some examples include magnets, jewelry, keys, and coins. Handheld video games, flashlights, hearing aids, and cameras may have button batteries. Button batteries and magnets must be removed if swallowed.
- Teach older children to keep small toys away from babies and toddlers. Marbles are especially easy for babies to swallow.
- Keep nails and screws away from children. Count them before and after you finish a project.
- Keep medicines in childproof containers. Do this in your home and also in any purse or bag where you keep extra medicine. All medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements need to be kept in childproof containers.
When should I seek immediate care? - Your child has a fever.
- Your child has severe abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting.
- Your child's vomit or saliva is bloody.
- Your child's bowel movements are black or bloody.
When should I contact my child's healthcare provider? - You do not find the object in your child's bowel movement within 2 or 3 days.
- Your child does not want to eat because of abdominal pain or vomiting.
- Your child is drooling or hoarse.
- You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.
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