DD (4) swallowed a glass bead - what to do next?

[MDM]

The bead is almost 2cm in diameter, and flattish (a bit like those beads that you get in the bottom of vases for decoration). It happened at nursery and their advice was just to let it pass through naturally.

I've 'been through' her poos to check for it coming out at the other end, but nothing yet, four days on.

She's not complaining of any tummy ache, but I'm still fretting a bit. Does anyone know anything about this? Would you take her to hospital for a check or hope that nature takes it's course?

I'd phone NHS direct - but she will probably need investigation now. My friend's LO had an xray to see where the item was and whether it was actually moving in the right direction. Better safe than sorry - get it checked out.

LO are fun - hope all is ok

Thanks May09. The bead still hasn't appeared, so I think you're right - I'll call NHS direct.

Ds swallowed a 5p when he was about 18months.
I never 'found' it but he is fine.

I would phone nhs just to be on the safe side, but don't worry too much. Just keep an eye on her!

Yeah, I would call NHS. She's probably totally fine, and you would think glass would pass easily, but then it's relatively big and you don't want to risk it causing bowel obstruction or something.

I ate a plastic bead when I was a kid - I was fed bread, and more bread.. until it successfully came out - I was fascinated!

Betty Why bread?

My DS swallowed a broken off bit of a pottery coaster when he was 13 months. I called NHS (Re)Direct and they sent me to A&E. DS was x-rayed and, once they decided the bit was past his lungs they sent us home. No instructions to look for it, said it would pass on its own but to come back if worried. It must have passed, never saw it even though it was cobalt blue!

Would glass show on an x-ray - any radiographers about?

I think the bead is long gone.
I'd ring NHS Direct if you are worried, they might ask some questions about her vomiting/choking etc - in case the bead is obstructing her airways (obviously not).
My DD swallowed a bit of a bracelet a while ago and I phoned NHS Direct immediately as I was a bit concerned and ended up in A&E with her being x-rayed - and even though it was only a couple of hours after the incident the object was well on it way out.

?? It was the 70s.. but I think the rationale was bulk - eating lots of bread makes large poos and I guess some of it was if you stretch out all the intestines with bread it will DEFINITELY catch the bead... my mum was a nursing auxiliary so it may have had medical thought behind it...

either that of it was some mystical belief about using a product whose name is like 'bead' lol...

I think glass would show up - even if just a wierdly regular shape... as x rays are like light.. there is a pic (not sure if true) of x-ray showing a bloke with a lightbulb up his bum and you can see the outline of the glass.. hth!

springforward - think it depends on how dense it is and whether there is overlying bone etc, shows up as a shadow apparently on x-ray. Cousin is a Dr.

MDM - Hope all went well?

My DS swallowed a 5p piece too when he was about 18 months old. He had D & V for a week - it took at least 4 or 5 days for him to pass the coin. We only realised what had happened when we found it in his nappy!

Well thanks all for your reassurance. You were brilliant, as always.

Called NHS direct today and they explained that it can take up to two weeks for a solid non-digestible object to pass through. So more turd mashing for another week! If it's not out by then it'll be a trip to the GP who'll decide whether to xray.

For your future info, there doesn't seem to be too much cause for concern unless there is a change to the child's breathing, if they are passing blood, or if they complain of tummy pain.

Thanks once again!