Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of your child after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
Your child was seen in the ED because they swallowed something other than food. Children are more likely than adults to swallow objects.
If the object was stuck in your child's esophagus, or was a potentially harmful object like a battery, magnet, something sharp or long, or something containing lead, the doctor probably removed it from their body. They can now safely recover at home.
If the object was not stuck and not potentially harmful, the doctor probably left it inside your child's body. The object will likely pass through their digestive system without causing any problems, then leave their body through a bowel movement. But they might need follow-up X-rays to check that the object is moving through them safely. If so, make sure you know when and where to go for this appointment.
How do I care for my child at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your child's regular doctor and tell them your child was in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●If the object is still inside your child's body:
•Look at all their bowel movements to make sure the object passes out of their body. This can take a few days.
•The object might pass out of their body faster if they have regular, soft bowel movements. To help with this:
-Offer them extra water, unless the doctor told them to limit fluids.
-Offer them high-fiber foods. These include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
-Ask their regular doctor if they should take any medicines, like laxatives.
•Watch for the symptoms listed below. These could mean the object got stuck somewhere in your child's digestive tract or is harming their digestive tract.
●If the object was removed, you will get instructions on what to do after going home. This includes things like what to do after sedation or any changes to your child's diet or medicines.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•Your child has severe belly pain that starts suddenly or is constant.
•Your child's belly gets very hard or swollen.
•Your child vomits many times over several hours.
•Your child has a lot of blood (more than 1 teaspoon, or 5 mL) in their bowel movement or vomit.
●Return to the ED if:
•Your child's bowel movements are black or tar colored.
•Your child vomits, and it has a small amount of blood (less than 1 teaspoon, or 5 mL) in it or something that looks like coffee grounds.
•Your child feels extremely weak or lightheaded.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your child as a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.
●Your child cannot eat or drink.
●Your child does not pass the object in their bowel movement within 1 week.
●Your child's bowel movements have a small amount of blood (less than 1 teaspoon, or 5 mL) in them.
●Your child has new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Swallowed objects (The Basics)
Patient education: Accidental ingestion in children (The Basics)
