Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
Foreign body ingestion means your child swallowed an object that is not food. Coins, button batteries, small toys, and screws are commonly swallowed objects. A foreign body can cause problems as it moves through your child's digestive system. Foreign body ingestion is most common in children ages 6 months to 3 years. This is because babies and toddlers learn by putting objects in their mouths.
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Return to the emergency department if:
- Your child has a fever.
- Your child has severe abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting.
- Your child's vomit or saliva is bloody.
- Your child's bowel movements are black or bloody.
Call your child's doctor if:
- You do not find the object in your child's bowel movement within 3 days.
- Your child does not want to eat because of abdominal pain or vomiting.
- Your child is drooling or hoarse.
- You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.
Help your child manage or prevent foreign body ingestion:
- Search for the object every time your child has a bowel movement. Most objects pass through the digestive system and come out in a bowel movement. Objects that are small or smooth will often pass without a problem. Do not give your child laxatives or stool softeners. Do not force your child to vomit.
- Keep small objects out of your child's reach. Some examples include magnets, jewelry, keys, and coins. Handheld video games, flashlights, hearing aids, and cameras may have button batteries. Button batteries and magnets must be removed if swallowed.
- Teach older children to keep small toys away from babies and toddlers. Marbles are especially easy for babies to swallow.
- Keep nails and screws away from children. Count them before and after you finish a project.
- Keep medicines in childproof containers. Do this in your home and also in any purse or bag where you keep extra medicine. All medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements need to be kept in childproof containers.
Follow up with your child's doctor as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your child's visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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