If a child swallows something he shouldn't

It is common for a small child to explore the world not only with the help of standard senses, but also with the sense of taste, so most babies put whatever they like into their mouths - toys, books or a dirty shoe. Most of these items do not pose a risk to the health of the baby, unless pathogenic bacteria enter the stomach with them. However, other situations also happen - the parents did not take care of the child and he swallowed something that could harm the body and even lead to death.

If a child swallows a battery

Cases when a baby swallows batteries are not at all uncommon, because most modern toys work with them.

Finger and finger batteries are especially dangerous, as they can get stuck in the throat or esophagus and cause breathing problems. If a child bites an object before swallowing it, the seal of the battery is broken and the electrolyte leaks out of it faster.

What is the threat?

• Electrical burn of the mucous membranes due to the voltage generated in the humid environment.
• Electrochemical burn. When electrolyte leaks out, tissue integrity is compromised.

Symptoms that should alert you:

• profuse drooling;
• increase in temperature;
• nausea and vomiting;
• feces mixed with blood;
• lethargy, lack of appetite, moodiness;
• pale skin;
• the child may complain of abdominal pain, squat, bend over, etc.

The most effective way to identify a foreign object in the stomach is an x-ray; doctors also palpate the abdomen and prescribe a blood test.

The main methods are the use of a fibrogastroscope, the surgical method, gastric lavage and the use of enemas and laxatives.  The battery is removed under general anesthesia, as the process is quite complex.

If a child swallows a ball

Many mothers and fathers are interested in what will happen if a child swallows a metal ball. Most often, these are balls from magnetic construction sets that connect sticks with magnets; most children aged three years and older have these.

Doctors strongly recommend going to the hospital immediately; the baby should be observed by a specialist for some time, even if there are no visible symptoms and the child feels well. Swallowing metal objects most often causes unpleasant health consequences. Metal balls (especially when there are several of them) cause damage to the intestinal wall and bleeding, which is why it is so important to make sure that the foreign object is removed from the body.

If a child swallows a coin

First, let's decide what absolutely cannot be done if a child swallows a coin, and this is:

• do an enema or give a laxative so that the item comes out naturally at home;
• give bread or other food to push the coin;
• immediately rush to remove it.

Make sure the coin is not in the airway. If your baby feels well, wait for a bowel movement. Feed your child foods that are rich in fiber, then the results will not be long in coming.

If the condition of the baby causes you concern, take an x-ray; it will show exactly where the coin is and whether its location is dangerous. The most undesirable outcome is the presence of an object in the bronchi; in this case, surgical intervention cannot be avoided.

If a child swallowed glass

It often happens that children break glass objects or mirrors and pull small fragments into their mouths; here everything will depend on the shape and size of the foreign object, because due to the sharp edges it can simply get stuck in the intestines or esophagus, this is especially dangerous in the second case, because the baby’s esophagus is very sensitive.

It’s not so scary if a child swallows a small glass bead; it’s another matter when it’s a fragment of a bottle or a New Year’s toy. In any case, call an ambulance first and then try to get it out yourself. To do this, open the baby’s mouth, press on the root of the tongue and watch carefully, perhaps the fragment will be removed along with vomit or saliva.

After two hours, the object ends up in the intestines; nothing can be done; even radiography cannot reveal its presence. Feed your baby porridge and boiled vegetables to remove the splinter naturally. It is forbidden to induce diarrhea - do an enema or give a laxative.

If a child swallows gum

Most young children do not yet know how to use chewing gum and often confuse it with candy. This scares parents, because there are many horror stories about how chewing gum remains in the stomach for years without decomposing and poisoning the body.

In fact, neither you nor the child will most likely notice anything; the treat will be eliminated from the body along with the digested food. It’s another matter if the baby complains of abdominal pain, nausea and is capricious, in this case it would be a good idea to see a doctor.

What negative consequences can occur when swallowing chewing gum?

• The most unfavorable outcome is when the rubber band gets stuck in the respiratory tract, causing a cough that brings the object out; if this does not happen, call a doctor immediately. When the baby's breathing is difficult, provide first aid - secure him between your knees, tilt his head down and pat him between the shoulder blades.
• Occasionally, an allergic reaction to the components of the gum may occur in the form of a rash.
• Poisoning occurs when chewing gum is made from toxic ingredients. To eliminate the consequences, call a doctor and wash out the stomach.

If a child swallows a tooth

There are times when a child accidentally swallows a loose baby tooth, often while eating. Parents have a reasonable concern: will it damage internal organs? There is no need to panic, unless, of course, the child choked on an object.

Dentists assure that baby teeth do not pose any danger if swallowed, because they are not at all as sharp and strong as permanent incisors or fangs. It will simply dissolve in the stomach, so don't worry, feed your baby a hearty lunch and wait for the intestinal contents to come out naturally.

If a child swallows a toy

In the practice of pediatric surgeons, the removal of foreign objects most often occurs from one to three years of age, when young researchers are actively exploring the world. But even at the age of 5-6 years, such cases are not uncommon; some doctors even collect entire collections of things extracted from the esophagus and stomachs of children.

During the game, children pull an object that interests them into their mouths, for example, a piece from a construction set or a toy from a Kinder Surprise. The consequences will directly depend on the shape and size of the toy; some of them are not at all dangerous and leave the body unhindered.

Particularly “popular” among children are small plastic parts from construction sets, caps from felt-tip pens, etc. Due to the special structure of the larynx of young children (adults have a supraglottic cartilage that prevents foreign bodies from entering the respiratory tract), they easily choke on objects. It is difficult not to notice the fact of suffocation; it is accompanied by coughing, whistling, difficulty breathing and a hoarse voice. It's good if your baby is able to clear his throat on his own, but if you see him begin to lose consciousness, immediately use methods to remove the toy from the respiratory tract.

If a child swallows a pill

Often adults neglect safety rules; a child can easily eat one or a handful of brightly coated tablets.

Common symptoms:

• redness or paleness of the skin;
• dilated pupils;
• nausea, vomiting;
• stomach ache;
• cold sweat;
• elevated temperature;
• convulsions;
• rapid heartbeat.

If the baby is talking, ask him how many pills he took, when it happened, what the names of the swallowed drugs are and what he is complaining about. After this, call an ambulance and give the doctors all the information, so they will determine the possible effect of the drugs on the body and select treatment. The child will most likely be examined, regardless of whether external symptoms exist or not. The drugs are not immediately absorbed into the blood; until then, it will be difficult to determine the extent of their effect.

If a child swallows mercury

Probably, almost every family has had a thermometer broken at least once; everyone knows the damage to health caused by inhaling mercury vapor; this dangerous chemical poisons the body to the point of death. But what to do when a child swallows mercury?

Immediately induce vomiting in the victim and call an ambulance; doctors will perform a gastric lavage and hospitalize the child to monitor his condition. In most cases, mercury balls pass through the esophagus and are excreted along with bowel movements, without causing significant harm to health. It’s worse when children start playing with the substance, inhaling its vapors at the same time, so be sure to keep the thermometer out of the child’s reach.