Baby may have swallowed tiny metal object

[YeahBut]

But I'm not sure. Was making dinner and ds (9 months) got hold of a belt I didn't think he could reach. It has a kind of stud fastening which was there when I took it off this afternoon but is not there after ds has had a hold of it. I've no idea if he has got it off and swallowed it or if it has come loose and is on the floor somewhere. Have looked all over the floor but can't find it.
If ds has swallowed it, should I take him to A&E or wait for nature to take its course. Can swallowing metal cause poisoning or something nasty?

bump 'cos I'm panicking

I swallowed several coins as a child and am still here! But I guess it depends on the metal... have you tried calling NHS direct?

A & E if it was me... should show up on X-ray...

Depends what it was made of and whether there are sharp edges. You could do a further search of the floor, then try NHS direct. I would show up on Xray, but if smooth and non toxic it will just come through. (You could vaccuum the floor with an old sock held firmly over the nozzle of the vac, if the fastner is there it will get caught in the sock and be easy to see).

NHS Direct for sure - if not a phone call to your GP surgery and see if one of the GPs can see you/speak to you as an emergency.

Found half of the stud on the rug so think it must have come off when he was shaking it about. Am less panicky now I have found a bit of it. The other bit would require quite a bit more fine motor skill than ds has atm to pick up and swallow. Will have a better look for it once the dc have gone to bed. Thank you all so much for your replies. We don't have a NHS Direct equivalent here in Holland so it's difficult to get advice after hours.