What to do When a Child Swallowed a Coin

Missing a penny? Did your child swallow a coin?

A big part of your baby-proofing duties is stowing away small objects that look so tempting to little hands and mouths. Sometimes children still manage to slip coins or other small items past their little lips. If you suspect this, do not panic--there are a few things you can do.

First and foremost make sure your child’s breathing is regular and clear. At the first sign of breathing difficulty or changes in his normal breathing, such as a funny sound with each breath, his lips turning blue, or his chest heaving or rising and falling rapidly, call 9-1-1 immediately.

If your child's breathing is stable, the object probably went down the esophagus. Occasionally, an item can get stuck there and cause pain when she eats or make her vomit solids. Thin liquids may be able to pass even if the coin is stuck in the esophagus. If she can swallow and eat normally, then the coin likely went into her stomach. If there is a coin stuck in the esophagus, you will have to take your child to the emergency room so a gastroenterologist can use a camera with a special tool to fish it out. This is a relatively minor procedure.

When the coin gets past the esophagus, you can sigh in relief. Most objects will easily pass through the digestive tract and you will find a nice surprise in the diaper or toilet within the next day or two. If you don’t see the item after a few days, your doctor can perform a simple X-ray to see if the object is still stuck or passed without you knowing. If it’s not a coin, tell your doctor what you suspect was swallowed. For example, plastic will not show on an X-ray and other objects which are sharp or caustic may require different and more urgent care.