It was a sunny Saturday morning when five-year-old Kwame came running to his mother, coughing and holding his throat. Moments earlier, he had been playing with his older brother’s piggy bank. As panic set in, his mother, Ama, realized what had happened—Kwame had swallowed a coin.
Swallowing foreign objects is a common childhood emergency. As scary as it seems, most cases are not life-threatening. However, knowing what to do—and when to seek help—can make all the difference.
This article is an essential, family-friendly guide for every parent, explaining what happens when a child swallows a coin, what signs to watch for, and how to respond.
Why Children Swallow Foreign Objects Young children are naturally curious and explore the world using their mouths. Coins, small toys, batteries, and even jewelry are among the most commonly swallowed items. According to pediatric emergency data, children aged six months to three years are most at risk.
In Kwame’s case, the coin was part of a game. His brother left the piggy bank open, and Kwame decided to “play store.” When pretending to count the coins, one accidentally slipped into his mouth and was swallowed.
Common Signs Your Child May Have Swallowed a Coin Sometimes a child will tell you directly—or you may witness the incident—but in many cases, you’ll only see symptoms. Be alert for:
- Gagging or coughing
- Drooling
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain in the chest or neck
- Vomiting
- Refusing to eat
- Breathing difficulties (in rare cases)
Most swallowed coins pass through the digestive tract without problems. However, when a coin gets stuck in the esophagus (food pipe), it can cause discomfort or complications.
Immediate Steps to Take If you suspect your child has swallowed a coin:
- Stay Calm: Your child takes emotional cues from you. Staying calm helps them remain calm too.
- Check Breathing: If your child is coughing, talking, or crying, the airway is likely clear.
- Avoid Inducing Vomiting or Giving Food/Drink: These can worsen the situation.
- Do Not Try to Remove the Coin Yourself: Never stick your finger or any object in the child’s throat unless the coin is visibly in the mouth and easily removable.
- Call Emergency Services or Head to the ER: If your child is having trouble breathing or appears in distress, seek emergency care immediately.
If breathing is unaffected and the child seems otherwise well, contact your pediatrician or go to a hospital for an X-ray.
What to Expect at the Emergency Room Upon arrival, medical professionals will perform a physical exam and likely order a chest or abdominal X-ray to locate the coin.
Possible outcomes include:
- Coin in the Stomach/Intestines: Often no treatment is needed. You’ll be asked to watch for the coin in the stool over the next few days.
- Coin in the Esophagus: May require endoscopic removal, especially if the coin is large, the child is in discomfort, or the coin hasn’t moved after 24 hours.
In Kwame’s case, the coin was lodged in the upper esophagus. The doctors used a pediatric endoscope under mild anesthesia to safely remove it. He was home and back to normal the next day.
When Is It a Life-Threatening Emergency? While most coin ingestions are not serious, certain signs require immediate emergency attention:
- Difficulty breathing or choking
- Blue lips or skin
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe drooling with inability to swallow
- High-pitched or noisy breathing
If any of these symptoms occur, call emergency services immediately and perform basic first aid measures like the Heimlich maneuver if trained.
Important Note: If you ever suspect your child swallowed a button battery or magnet, seek emergency help right away. These objects can cause severe tissue damage within hours.
How to Prevent Coin and Object Swallowing An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Tips include:
- Keep coins, batteries, and small objects out of reach
- Supervise toddlers during play
- Secure piggy banks and coin purses
- Educate older siblings about the dangers of leaving small items accessible
In Ama’s household, after the incident, she created a “safe play” area free of small objects and started regular safety talks with her children.
Conclusion
Children are naturally curious, and despite our best efforts, accidents like swallowing a coin can happen. The key is to know the signs, stay calm, and seek medical advice quickly.
Most swallowed coins will pass without issue, but if your child shows any worrying symptoms, don’t hesitate—go to the ER.
Ama’s quick reaction and the hospital’s expertise turned a terrifying situation into a teachable moment. Let Kwame’s story remind us all: knowing what to do in an emergency makes all the difference.