Swallowed a coin
Foreign body aspiration is common once the child has developed pincer grip and hand-mouth coordination. It is very common that child takes small objects like coin, button, pins etc to mouth. Sometimes it might cause choking or it might go down into the stomach.
Q. How do I know that the child has swallowed a coin? How to confirm if I am not sure?
A. Either we witness the incidence or child tells us about it. In case we are not sure, we can do an X-ray chest and abdomen. The X-ray may help us knowing the position of the coin, whether the coin is stuck in Oesophagus or has gone down in stomach or lower down in intestine.
Q. What should I do if I know that the child has swallowed a coin?
A. If the coin is stuck in airway, the child will cough or will get choked. If the child is coughing, we should not disturb the child and allow him to cough. At the same time we monitor the child closely that he is not getting choked. In case the child is getting choked we should attempt to remove the coin. This is discussed later in this article.
If the child has ingested coin and is neither coughing nor getting choked, it’s very likely that the coin has gone down either in oesophagus or further down. It is advised to consult the Pediatrician. An X-ray chest and abdomen will confirm the position of the coin.
Q. How is the coin removed from stomach or intestine?
A. If the x-ray confirms the position of the coin in stomach, one needs to consult Gastroenterologist. It can be removed by endoscope. If the coin has gone down further, it is advised to wait for the coin to pass in the stool. It might take more than a day. While the coin is in intestine the child should be monitored for any discomfort or abdominal distension.