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What Are The Repercussions Of The Accidental Ingestion Of A Foreign Object?
Question: My 3 years boy swolloed a 5 rupee coin on last Sunday. Till now it is there in the stomach.
He does not have any unusual symptoms.
Please advice
He does not have any unusual symptoms.
Please advice
Brief Answer:
Wait and observe.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. The first thing that I would suggest is not to panic. It is reassuring that this foreign body (the ingested 5 rupee coin) does not have sharp edges and therefore does not bear the threat of causing injury to the intestines. It is also reassuring to know that this foreign body is not small enough to go into the appendix. So, gradually it is supposed to pass down the gastrointestinal tract and finally get eliminated via stool. Since it is of a relatively big diameter it is possible for it to stagnate for a while but that does not necessarily pose a risk serious enough to warrant cutting open the stomach (or intestines) to bring it out. So, as of now it would be advisable to wait and watch rather than proactively cut him open just because we are growing apprehensive due to no definite clinical indication. Since he does not have any unusual symptoms I would not get worried.
I hope you understand.
Regards
Wait and observe.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. The first thing that I would suggest is not to panic. It is reassuring that this foreign body (the ingested 5 rupee coin) does not have sharp edges and therefore does not bear the threat of causing injury to the intestines. It is also reassuring to know that this foreign body is not small enough to go into the appendix. So, gradually it is supposed to pass down the gastrointestinal tract and finally get eliminated via stool. Since it is of a relatively big diameter it is possible for it to stagnate for a while but that does not necessarily pose a risk serious enough to warrant cutting open the stomach (or intestines) to bring it out. So, as of now it would be advisable to wait and watch rather than proactively cut him open just because we are growing apprehensive due to no definite clinical indication. Since he does not have any unusual symptoms I would not get worried.
I hope you understand.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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