When a child swallows a coin, it’s essential to seek medical attention to ensure it passes safely through their digestive system.
Here’s what to do:
- Assess for immediate danger:
– Trouble breathing, choking, severe coughing, gagging, difficulty swallowing, or speaking: If your child exhibits any of these, call 911 immediately as the coin may be blocking the airway. Learn and be ready to perform the Heimlich maneuver.
– Excessive drooling, vomiting, refusing food or water: These symptoms suggest the coin might be stuck in the esophagus and require immediate medical evaluation in an emergency department.
– Stomach pain, vomiting, bloody stools, or fever: These symptoms indicate potential complications, and you should bring your child to the ER immediately.
– Button battery or magnet ingestion: These are serious medical emergencies, and you should go to the emergency department or call 911 immediately.
– Pennies (especially those minted after 1982) containing corrosive zinc: These can damage the esophagus if lodged, requiring immediate medical attention.
- If no immediate danger is apparent:
– Call your pediatrician or a local emergency room for advice: Even if your child appears fine, a medical evaluation is recommended to determine the coin’s location and potential risks.
– X-ray may be needed: An X-ray can confirm the coin’s location.
– Do not try to remove the coin or induce vomiting: This could cause further harm or force the coin into the airway.
– Follow your doctor’s instructions: They may recommend monitoring your child’s stools for the coin’s passage. Most coins pass within a few days to a week. If it doesn’t pass or symptoms arise, further action, like endoscopic removal, may be necessary.
Remember to stay calm, follow medical advice, and be vigilant in supervising young children to prevent future coin ingestions. You can also contact the Poison Control Center for guidance at 800-222-1222.
Should I take my kid to the ER if he swallowed a coin?
“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.