Download and print as a PDF (143kB pdf)
On this page
Swallowed foreign objects
Most swallowed foreign objects are harmless and pass through the oesophagus, stomach and bowels (digestive tract) uneventfully. Sometimes, swallowed objects get stuck in the oesophagus and may need to be removed in hospital.
Metal detection
Most metal objects can be located using a small hand–held metal detector. Metal detection is a harmless, non-painful way of locating a small metal swallowed object such as a coin. The doctor or nurse seeing your child will make the decision to use metal detection based on what your child has swallowed.
Hazardous objects
• Button batteries and other batteries.
• Magnets.
• Sharp objects longer than 6cm or wider than 2cm.
• Filled balloons.
If your child has swallowed any of the above they will need an x-ray and the object may need to be removed by a surgical procedure. The doctor or nurse will explain if this is necessary.
‘Red flag’ symptoms to look out for after you go
• Vomiting.
• Blood in vomit.
• Tummy pain.
• Blood in faeces (poo).
We do not advise inspecting your child’s faeces for a swallowed object such as a coin. It may take several days or even weeks to leave the body.
Our aim is to provide information that will help you understand your child’s injury and enable the appropriate after-care.
There are lots of useful injury leaflets to download at the Royal Alexandra website
Useful numbers
24hr advice line NHS 111
Practice Plus (Brighton walk-in Centre) 0333 321 0946
Practice Plus GP 0300 130 3333
7 days a week 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
The information in this leaflet is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner.