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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is It Safe To Have Inanimate Objects In Intestines Of A Child?

My granddaughter swallowed a hair clip from her doll. Went to the emergency room and they did an x ray. It was seen in her intestines. they said it should pass on its on. It has been almost a week and we have not found it in her stools. How long can it safely stay in her. Unfortunately we have planned a family vacation in a week out of the country. Should we cancel ?
Tue, 30 Jun 2020
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi.
I've gone through your query and I can understand your anxiety.

Sometimes children may swallow foreign objects like toys, coins, safety pins, buttons,magnets, batteries etc. These objects will be processed by the digestive system and will pass them out within a week without causing any damage to the intestines unless it is sharp.

Also watch for intestinal obstruction symptoms in the child like crampy abdominal pain, loss of appetite, Constipation, Vomiting, Inability to pass gas or swollen abdomen.

I advice you to wait for a week and do a repeat Xray abdomen to locate the position of the objection. Give plenty of water to the child.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care.

Regards,
Dr. Yogapriya V, General and family physician
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Is It Safe To Have Inanimate Objects In Intestines Of A Child?

Hi. I ve gone through your query and I can understand your anxiety. Sometimes children may swallow foreign objects like toys, coins, safety pins, buttons,magnets, batteries etc. These objects will be processed by the digestive system and will pass them out within a week without causing any damage to the intestines unless it is sharp. Also watch for intestinal obstruction symptoms in the child like crampy abdominal pain, loss of appetite, Constipation, Vomiting, Inability to pass gas or swollen abdomen. I advice you to wait for a week and do a repeat Xray abdomen to locate the position of the objection. Give plenty of water to the child. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care. Regards, Dr. Yogapriya V, General and family physician