Small child trapped in a sharp turn in Yakutia, an eastern Russian region
In the Megino-Kangalassky District, a swift rescue saved a four-year-old from a hairpin choking incident.
We caught up with Innokenty Pavlov, the Chief Doctor of the Megino-Kangalasskaya CRB, an endoscopist, and a doctor of the highest qualification category, to discuss the do's and don'ts when a child swallows a foreign object.
Foreign object ingestion can be a perilous situation, especially for children aged six months to three years. It's essential to remain vigilant and seek medical help promptly when necessary.
In about half of cases, concerned parents may discover their child has swallowed something only a few days later, or they might not realize it at all. Older children can disclose the incident, but parents of infants must rely on their own attentiveness.
Symptoms of a swallowed foreign object might include excessive salivation, blood in saliva, coughing, difficulty swallowing, pain when swallowing, feeling a "lump" in the throat, loss of appetite, throat, neck, or chest pain, vomiting, fever, rapid, raspy breathing, shortness of breath, or dangerous symptoms suggesting the foreign body has entered the airways.
The most frequent foreign objects in practice are coins and lithium disc batteries, that can inflict burns severe enough to perforate an organ.
So, what should you do if a child swallows a foreign body? Call an ambulance immediately if the child exhibits "dangerous" symptoms or seek medical help if you suspect that a foreign body has been swallowed. However, avoid these common mistakes before the doctor arrives:
- Do not let the child eat or drink.
- Do not attempt to remove the foreign body with your finger or any objects.
- Do not try to induce vomiting.
- Do not give the child a laxative or perform an enema.
To prevent foreign object ingestion, ensure children play only with large toys, keep small items out of reach, teach them not to talk while eating, educate them to distinguish between edible and non-edible items, and supervise battery use.
Foreign objects commonly swallowed by children range from coins and batteries to magnets, small toys, and sharp objects like pins or toothpicks.
Enrichment Data:Ingested Foreign Objects:- Coins are among the most common objects ingested.- Button batteries can cause severe burns to the esophagus.- Magnets can cause intestinal blockages if multiple are swallowed.- Small toys or parts, like marbles or toy components.- Sharp objects, such as needles, pins, or toothpicks.
Symptoms of Foreign Body Ingestion:Symptoms can vary depending on the object and location within the body. Common signs include:- Pain in the throat or chest- Difficulty swallowing- Coughing or choking- Lump in the throat or chest- Vomiting- Abdominal pain if the object has passed into the abdomen.
Preventive Measures:Preventing foreign body ingestion is crucial:- Secure Small Objects: Keep items like coins, buttons, and marbles out of reach.- Supervise Battery Use: Ensure children do not play with battery-operated devices unsupervised.- Home Safety: Use safety latches on cupboards and lockable drawers.- Educate Caregivers: Inform caregivers about the risks of foreign body ingestion and the importance of supervision.
A child's health-and-wellness can be at risk when they ingest foreign objects, such as coins, small toys, or sharp objects. To prevent such incidents, parents should ensure children play only with large toys, keep small items out of reach, and educate them to distinguish between edible and non-edible items. If a foreign object is suspected to have been swallowed, prompt medical help should be sought. However, it's important to avoid attempting to remove the object with fingers or other objects, and not to induce vomiting or give the child a laxative. In cases of dangerous symptoms such as choking, coughing, chest or throat pain, or rapid, raspy breathing, an ambulance should be called immediately.
