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Original poster

Has anyone's kids ever swalloaed a coin?

27 replies

evansmummy · 15/05/2008 22:43

My 3 yr old swallowed a 1p piece this evening and after calling nhs direct we went to a and e. We sat there for 2 hours and they were so busy they couldn't tell us how long we'd have to wait so we left. He seems fine in himself and didn't choke or anything, but am still a bit worried. Does anyone hav any experience of this?

OP posts:
loopylou6 · 15/05/2008 22:44

Someones ds has recently swallowed a pound coin, search the archives and you will see (hew as ok btw )

Spidermama · 15/05/2008 22:45

Yes. DD swalled a twenty pence piece. She was fine. I assume it was passed.

Hassled · 15/05/2008 22:45

Yes - Ds2 swallowed 5p when he was 2. He pooed it out - A&E said to come back if it hadn't emerged after a week, and I think it took 6 days!

Beauregard · 15/05/2008 22:48

I was a serial swallower
Including a 2 pence coin when i was 15 and very drunk,which ended up wedged 1mm from my windpipe and had to be removed surgically
A 1p should just pass through but maybe your dc should be seen just incase.

SlightlyMadSweet · 15/05/2008 22:48

My DB once swallowed hte sharp rig pull bit that folds inside a drinking can.

They sent him home and suggested that it would be in his interests (and the NHS budgets wink wink) not to be exposed to the X-Rays.

Having said that he was a young adult at the time and not a 3yo.

I think the major thing you need to be aware of is the risk of bowel blockage.

Beauregard · 15/05/2008 22:50

SMS -That has just reminded me of the time(when i drank pop)that i opened a can of coke and put the ringpull into it and then dp decided to finish it off and swallowed the damn thing.

Original poster
evansmummy · 15/05/2008 22:52

Can't face going back there tonight. He's gone to sleep now anyway. How would I tell if it's blocked somewhere without an x ray?

OP posts:
emma1977 · 15/05/2008 22:54

Don't panic- kids swallow coins all the time.

If he seems fine and didn't choke, there is very little chance of it being lodged anywhere (if foreign bodies lodge, it tends to be at the bottom of the oesophagus, not the bowel) and he doesn't need any Xrays or anything special doing. There's nothing poisonous in the coin either.

We don't advise sifting the poo to try and find the coin any more either- I guarantee it'll be passed without anyone ever noticing at some point in the next 2 weeks.

KerryMum · 15/05/2008 22:55

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SlightlyMadSweet · 15/05/2008 22:56

PFNM Your not my SIL(to be) are you?!?!?

I dunno - I hink pain, tenderness, not going to loo (guessing a bit here). I don't think it would be instant - and as others have said it is more likely to pass than cause a blockage.

Not even sure it would show on an X-ray TBH - until there was a buildup of feaces behind it.

I am sure he will be fine.

KerryMum · 15/05/2008 22:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SlightlyMadSweet · 15/05/2008 22:57

LIsten to Emma - she knows what she is talking about

Beauregard · 15/05/2008 22:58

lol SMS

Flame · 15/05/2008 22:58

Psycho's DS2 swallowed a glass pebble a week or so ago All was fine

emma1977 · 15/05/2008 22:59

Coins always show up on xray (they're a chunk of metal after all), but there is no indication to do so unless there is clinical suspicion of obstruction at the lower end of the oesophagus. If there is no choking or difficulty swallowing, thecoin has already passed into the stomach and from there will get through the bowel without a problem.

Symptoms of bowel obstruction include abdominal distension, inability to pass poo and vomiting. It is really unlikely to be caused by a simple coin.

KerryMum · 15/05/2008 22:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SlightlyMadSweet · 15/05/2008 23:00
emma1977 · 15/05/2008 23:01

Thank you SMS, my husband may disagree....he thinks I talk utter bollocks!

kama · 15/05/2008 23:05

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kama · 15/05/2008 23:06

This reply has been deleted

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schneebly · 15/05/2008 23:07

My DS1 swallowed a 'magnetix' ball a few months back and he pooed it out 5 days later

Flame · 15/05/2008 23:08

It took a good few days to pass through Psychoboy

popmum · 15/05/2008 23:11

my dd did a few weeks ago, was advised by nhs direct to ensure it came out - was THE most disgusting thing i've had to do - put a plastic tub in the loo and she pooed in that, popped marigolds on and within 2 days it was out. GROSS
they said if not out in 2 weeks to go to hospital.

lucykate · 15/05/2008 23:23

i swallowed a coin when i was 4, it got stuck and i started to choke. my mum picked me up by the ankles and slapped me on the back. not sure if that was the right thing for her to do but it made the coin tilt slightly, enough for me to breathe anyway. we went to a&e, and i was x rayed, as it was still stuck, they sent us out in an ambulance which drove fast, and over lots of bumps. when we got back to the hospital, they x rayed again and the coin had dropped down into my stomach. i suppose their thinking was using the ambulance may have been a waste of resources but it meant i avoided having surgery if it had stayed stuck!

it came out about a week later

twinsetandpearls · 15/05/2008 23:27

dd swallowed a 5p and pooed it out.

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