Q&A:
What should I do if my 19-month-old has swallowed a quarter?

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Answered by Angela Rosas M.D.

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"The most enjoyable thing for me in practicing general pediatrics is to use my professional training and my experiences as a mother to help families to improve the health of their children," says Angela Rosas. "It is a wondrous feeling to watch children heal and develop into healthy young adults, knowing that you played a small role in the process."

Angela Rosas M.D., graduated from Stanford University with a degree in human biology. She attended medical school and completed her residency in pediatrics at the University of California at San Diego. She has been a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics since 1991. Dr. Rosas has practiced general pediatrics for eight years in community clinics, private practice, and university hospitals. She is currently Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California at Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California. Her clinical and research interests are breastfeeding, asthma, adolescent care, children with disabilities, child abuse and neglect, and accident prevention. Dr. Rosas has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to various pediatric textbooks. She frequently lectures on pediatrics issues at medical conferences and for community agencies. Dr. Rosas is married to another pediatrician and has three young daughters.

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Question

What should I do if my 19-month-old has swallowed a quarter?

Answer

You'd be surprised how quickly toddlers pop something in their mouth, leaving their parents wondering whether they really swallowed it or not. The first step is to check for any difficulties swallowing or breathing, which include chest pain or discomfort, vomiting, gagging, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing liquids or solids, cough, rapid breathing, choking, or blueness. If your child has any of these symptoms, call your doctor or seek emergency care immediately.

If your child really swallowed a quarter, the coin may get stuck in the esophagus. Smaller coins tend to pass easily. Your medical provider may request an X-ray to locate the coin. If it has passed into the stomach safely, you may need to check your daughter's stools for a few days to be sure it passes all the way out. Alert your medical provider if your daughter has bloody stools, abdominal pain, or any of the above symptoms.