Chloe Zhang
It can be a frightening experience for any parent to learn that their baby has swallowed a piece of plastic. While most ingested foreign bodies will pass harmlessly through the gastrointestinal tract, it is important to remain vigilant and watch out for any symptoms that may require immediate medical attention. This includes signs of poisoning, such as loss of consciousness, foaming at the mouth, drooling, vomiting, and other symptoms. If the plastic causes an immediate obstruction to the windpipe, symptoms such as wheezing, stridor, or the inability to speak, cry, or cough necessitate an immediate call to emergency services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | Foaming at the mouth, drooling, vomiting, unexplained fever, abdominal distention, nausea, rectal pain, rectal bleeding, coughing, wheezing, stridor, chest pain, gagging, spitting, loss of consciousness |
| Actionable steps | Monitor the child, check every stool for the next three days, give the child a banana to aid passing the plastic in the stool, perform first aid, call 911, take the child to the nearest emergency room |
| Objects to be cautious of | Batteries, magnets, sharp objects, coins, plastic shards, glass shards, blunt objects |
| General advice | Keep small objects out of children's reach |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic may pass through the gastrointestinal tract in stools
If your baby has swallowed plastic, it is important to remain calm and monitor them for any symptoms. Most ingested foreign bodies will pass harmlessly through the gastrointestinal tract and be present in the child's stool within a few days. In some cases, it may take between 2 to 10 days for the plastic to pass. It is important to check every stool, as the presence of a foreign body may prompt unnecessary medical evaluation.
If your child experiences symptoms such as an unexplained fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, rectal pain, or rectal bleeding, seek medical attention. Symptoms that require immediate evaluation include drooling, gagging, spitting, chest pain, or the sensation of an object being stuck in the throat. If the plastic causes an immediate obstruction to the windpipe, call 911 for emergency assistance. Symptoms of severe respiratory distress include wheezing (a high-pitched whistling sound), stridor (a harsh, raspy, gasping sound when breathing in), or the inability to speak, cry, or cough.
It is important to note that certain foreign objects require immediate medical evaluation following ingestion. These include sharp objects, coins (quarter-sized or larger), batteries, magnets, and poisonous objects. If your child has swallowed a potentially toxic substance, do not delay seeking medical help. Additionally, children who swallow coins smaller than a quarter should get an X-ray to determine the coin's location if it does not pass within 24 hours.
While it is natural to be worried, most ingested plastic pieces will move through the gastrointestinal tract and exit with the stools. If your child has no breathing issues or other apparent problems, they are likely to be fine. However, it is important to observe them for any abnormal signs or symptoms and seek medical advice if concerned.
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Monitor for symptoms of poisoning
If your baby has ingested plastic, it is important to remain calm and vigilant. Monitor them closely for any signs of distress or abnormal behaviour. While plastic is typically soft and pliable, sharp edges or pointed fragments can cause internal damage or become lodged in the esophagus.
Symptoms of poisoning or internal injury may include:
- Drooling
- Gagging
- Spitting
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing, such as wheezing or stridor (a harsh, rasping sound when breathing in)
- Loss of consciousness
- Foaming at the mouth
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain or distention
- Rectal pain or bleeding
- Unexplained fever
If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Do not attempt to induce vomiting as this can be dangerous and ineffective. Instead, bring your child to the nearest emergency room, and if possible, take the plastic item or its container with you to help doctors identify the substance and provide faster treatment.
In many cases, small pieces of plastic will pass through your baby's system without causing harm and will be present in their stool within a few days. However, it is crucial to closely monitor your baby and seek medical advice if you have any concerns.
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Call emergency services if the baby is choking
If your baby is choking, it is important to remain calm and follow these steps:
Call emergency services:
If your baby is choking and unable to breathe, call the emergency services immediately. In the US, call 911. In Australia, dial triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. It is helpful to have someone else call so that you can focus on the baby, but if you are alone, put your phone on speaker and continue with first aid while connecting to emergency services. Explain the situation to the operator and provide updates.
Check for breathing:
Assess whether your baby is coughing. If they are coughing, monitor them, but do not interfere. People who are choking do not cough. If the baby is not coughing and is unconscious, not breathing, or having trouble breathing, begin first aid and perform the following steps:
Back blows:
Hold the baby facing downwards on your forearm, with their head lower than their body. Use your thigh for support. With the heel of your hand, deliver five sharp blows to the baby's back, between the shoulder blades. Check to see if the blockage has been cleared after each blow and remove any foreign material that may have loosened. These blows create vibrations and pressure in the baby's airway, hopefully dislodging the object.
Heimlich manoeuvre:
If back blows do not work, use your index and middle fingers to locate the baby's breastbone (between and slightly below the nipples). Press down sharply with your fingers five times, applying enough pressure to push the chest down by about one-third. These chest compressions may help to dislodge the object.
Repeat:
Continue alternating between back blows and chest compressions until the object is dislodged or emergency services arrive.
It is important to act quickly and decisively if your baby is choking. Choking can be life-threatening, and babies are at high risk due to their small airways and tendency to put things in their mouths. It is recommended that parents take a first aid course to learn how to respond in such emergencies.
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Avoid forcing the plastic out of the baby's throat
If your baby has swallowed plastic, it is important to remain calm and take immediate action. While it may be tempting to force the plastic out of the baby's throat, this is not a safe option and can cause further injury. Here are some reasons why you should avoid forcing the plastic out and what you can do instead:
Potential for Further Injury
Forcing an object out of a baby's throat can push it further down, making it harder to remove and potentially causing more damage. The esophagus is delicate, and forceful removal can cause tearing or other injuries.
Respiratory Distress
If the plastic is blocking the windpipe, the baby may exhibit symptoms of severe respiratory distress, such as wheezing, stridor (a harsh, raspy, gasping sound when breathing in), or an inability to speak, cry, or cough. In such cases, call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to remove the object yourself, as this could further obstruct the airway.
Alternative Methods
Instead of forcing the plastic out, you can perform first aid by placing the baby on your lap and giving five firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If the object does not dislodge, turn the baby face-up and use two fingers to deliver five quick chest thrusts in the middle of the chest. Repeat the back blows and chest thrusts until the object is dislodged or emergency help arrives.
Medical Evaluation
Even if the plastic is successfully dislodged, it is crucial to seek medical evaluation. Ingested foreign objects can cause internal injuries or become lodged in other parts of the digestive tract. Take the baby to the nearest emergency room, especially if they exhibit symptoms like vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, or rectal bleeding.
Remember, it is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your baby's health. If you have any doubts or concerns, don't hesitate to seek professional medical help.
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Seek medical evaluation if symptoms appear
If your baby has ingested plastic, it is important to remain calm and vigilant. While it can be a frightening experience, it is worth noting that children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years are the most likely to swallow foreign objects, and in most cases, these incidents are not serious. However, it is crucial to closely monitor your baby for any symptoms and seek medical evaluation if necessary.
Symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention include respiratory distress, such as wheezing, stridor (a harsh, raspy, gasping sound when breathing in), or difficulty breathing, speaking, or coughing. If your baby is coughing, it is an encouraging sign, and you should monitor them without interfering. However, if they exhibit symptoms like drooling, gagging, spitting, chest pain, or the sensation of an object being stuck in their throat, call 911 or seek emergency medical care.
Additionally, watch out for symptoms that may occur when the ingested plastic has moved past the esophagus, such as an unexplained fever, abdominal pain or distention, nausea, vomiting, rectal pain, or rectal bleeding. These symptoms indicate a need for medical evaluation to ensure your baby's well-being.
If your baby has swallowed a potentially toxic substance, such as household cleaners or chemicals, do not delay and seek emergency medical care immediately. It is also important to take the remaining substance or its container with you to help doctors identify the ingested material and provide faster and more effective treatment.
In the absence of any symptoms, it is generally assumed that the ingested plastic has passed into the stomach and will eventually pass out in the stools. However, if you are concerned or unsure, it is always better to err on the side of caution and seek medical advice. Contact your pediatrician or take your child to the nearest emergency room for evaluation and peace of mind.
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Frequently asked questions
If the plastic is small and smooth, it will likely pass through your baby's gastrointestinal tract and be present in their stool within a few days. However, if the plastic is large or has sharp edges, it could become lodged in the throat, stomach, or intestines, or cause tearing. If you notice any symptoms like choking, wheezing, drooling, gagging, chest pain, or the sensation of an object being stuck in the throat, seek immediate medical attention.
It can take between 2 to 10 days for ingested plastic to pass in a baby's stool. It is recommended to check every stool during this period.
Symptoms may include unexplained fever, abdominal pain or distension, nausea, vomiting, rectal pain, or rectal bleeding. However, it's important to note that babies may not always exhibit symptoms initially or may only show vague symptoms, especially if the parent is unaware of the ingestion.
If the plastic is small, smooth, solid, and non-magnetic, you can likely wait and monitor your baby for any symptoms. However, if the plastic is large or has sharp edges, seek immediate medical attention. Do not attempt to induce vomiting or forcefully remove any objects from the baby's throat as this may cause further injury.
Create a safe environment by keeping small objects and plastic items out of your baby's reach. Be aware of your baby's surroundings and try to provide them with toys and items that are age-appropriate and do not pose a choking hazard.
