- Stay calm: Panicking can escalate the situation and make it harder to help your child.
- Check for choking: Is your child coughing, gagging, drooling, or having difficulty swallowing or breathing? If so, it may be a medical emergency.
- Call 911 immediately.
- If trained, use the Heimlich maneuver. However, it’s crucial to know that the Heimlich maneuver, and other techniques meant for adults, are not safe for young children. Never attempt to administer the Heimlich on a toddler, and do not use methods like abdominal thrusts or heavy blows to the back.
- Contact your pediatrician or seek immediate medical attention at the nearest emergency room.
- Do not induce vomiting. [According to Sharp HealthCare] , avoid laxatives or trying to make the child vomit.
- Do not force food or drink: Avoid offering food or drink until a healthcare provider has evaluated the child.
- Monitor for symptoms: Look out for signs like coughing, drooling, refusing to eat or drink, vomiting, or abdominal pain.
- Seek immediate medical care for concerning symptoms such as difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, drooling, chest pain, or vomiting.
Healthcare providers will take a history and examine the child. An X-ray is typically used to locate the coin. If the coin is in the esophagus, it may need to be removed via endoscopy to prevent complications. If the coin has reached the stomach and the child is asymptomatic, it often passes through the digestive system within days. In such cases, monitoring at home and checking stools for the coin may be recommended. A follow-up X-ray might be necessary if the coin doesn’t pass or symptoms develop. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, observation for 12-24 hours may be an option if the coin has been lodged for less than 24 hours in an asymptomatic child without a history of esophageal issues.
While most swallowed coins pass without issue, complications like intestinal blockage, perforation, or rarely, metal poisoning can occur.
Important: If you have concerns, consult a healthcare professional. Do not assume the object will pass on its own.
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for advice specific to your situation.
Should I take my kid to the ER if he swallowed a coin?
From my experience, “If your child has swallowed a penny, or any coin, take her to your pediatrician or the emergency room right away,” says Charles Howell, MD, a pediatric surgeon at MCG Children’s Hospital, in Augusta, Georgia.
How long does it take for a kid to pass a coin?
What You Should Expect: Swallowed objects almost always make it to the stomach. Once there, they usually travel safely through the intestines. They are passed in a normal stool in 2 or 3 days.
How to remove coin from kids’ throat?
Thanks for asking. The ENT department has good results removing coins lodged in the upper esophagus using forceps and laryngoscopy; and also using rigid esophagoscopy for the lower esophagus.