DD just swallowed a coin.

What do I do? I heard her gag and coughing then she came in crying and told me what she had done.

I'd take her to the hospital.

I'd take her to the hospital too. Just to make sure it's not partially wedged anywhere.

I third the above suggestions, a quick x-ray will probably show the coin has passed into her stomach but in the meantime don't let her eat or drink anything

thanks. On our way now.

Good luck xx

I swallowed a $2 coin when I was little.. My older sister was so cranky at me because that was our money for ice cream.....
I think she will be ok :)..

Good luck, let us know how you go, hopefully it will just pass through the normal way!

Good luck! If it's stuck they'll get it out :) Always get them xrayed. It can be problematic if unchecked. Never assume it will just pass through.

Good luck.

xx

Ah kids and the joys they bring. So it made it into the stomach and will hopefully make its way out over the next 2-3 days. They said not to worry about searching but to keep a close eye on her for swelling around the abdomen and if she gets any belly pain or constant vommitting then bring her straight back. We have decided to change her name to Penny :)

Your right Rouge, they said to always come in to get them checked. Better to be safe then sorry.

Thanks for the quick replies and the concern and well wishes. Hopefully this will stop her from putting things in her mouth, although knowing how stubborn she is it wont for long.

I didn't want to freak you out at the time. But my close friend (some of you will already know this story) had an overnight stay at the children's after her LO swallowed a 10c coin and after one attempt removing it resulted in a transfer and surgery. Any swallowed object that isn't food can block the airways and cause problems. So with little ones it's always better to check.

I'm glad all is well and it went through to the stomach.

Depending on which hospital you go to, you will get different answers. My dd1 swallowed a coin the size of a 20c piece at age 4. For her X-ray through gp and it was in bowel. A week later we had to go to ed and were told to go away. Dd developed signs of a bowel obstruction a few days later so went to another major hosp who told us the coin had refluxed. A month later, after lots of symptoms, a coworker pulled strings and got us an appt with a paed gastroenterologist who removed the coin two days later.

So yes, always get them checked but don't be surprised if you get turned away. Especially for small coins.
Usually anything the size of a 10c piece or smaller will pass easily.
If they are coughing and spluttering always assume a blocked airway and tell emerg that. An X-ray is a quick way to determine that.

Hopefully your little one passes the coin soon! We nicknamed dd1 the human vending machine after her incident.

Thanks Rouge, driving to the hospital I was imagining all these different outcomes. Actually knowing some possible outcomes might not have been helpful. Thanks again.

Wow MG, we are not really sure what she swollowed. We thought it might be a penny because she said it was a brown coin but they said it looked bigger then that. What an ordeal you and your DD had to go through.

So 6 days on and despite them telling me I don't need to check her poops as she will pass it with in 2-3 days, I have been checking and she has not passed the coin yet. She is still going to the loo and still eating fine but I am thinking I am going to have to take her to get checked again.

Oh wow, I can't believe this is still going for you!! I would probably take her back to a doctor, be prepared for an X-ray though. She can't have a coin sitting in her body like that. No chance that you missed it?

I don't think I could have missed it. She has been doing her poops in a potty. I tip it into a bag and then have a feel:sick:. Sha had daycare on Wed & Fri but I told them and they said she did not poop at school.

We were told that it could take 12 months to pass. But we were also told if not passed after week then to go back for a second xray. It may not move much at all. The fact she is eating and pooing as normal is a good sign.

Thanks MG. I am really annoyed at the lack of information they gave us. I was happy at how quick they saw us and did everything, but they were just as quick to get us out as well. I guess all the questions I have did not come to me at the time. They never told me it could take that long to pass, just said 2-3 days.

I might see our GP tomorrow just so I can ask the questions I have.

She is still pooping but the amount is getting smaller everyday, don't know if that is related though. Gosh I just wish she would do a cash withdrawel :lol:so I can stop thinking about it.

I hope she's collecting interest ;)

I never found the hospital you went to much use when I lived up there. I'd see the bigger one in the next big town

This is a good fact sheet from the Royal Children's in Melbourne about swallowed objects for anyone that is interested.

Kids Health Info : Swallowed (Ingested) foreign bodies