People say it will pass and to wait it out. I have a few nurse friends who advised this also. I am still in panic mode a bit though. I left work early to make sure I can be with him and keep an eye on him. How long does it usually take to pass a coin?
I don't remember.
Funny story though.
My brother and I used to play "Cash register"
He would feed me coins, I would eat them.
I'm ok!!
L.
I was curious about the zinc thing, so I looked it up.
It is partially true.. In pennies newer than 1982 there is more zinc than older ones, with only a thin copper plating to protect from it. In this higher, concentrated dose, it *can* react to stomach acid and become more acidic... This *can* cause issues like ulcers, liver damage, etc... But it is pretty rare, especially for just a single penny.
The websites I looked at though recommended checking stool for the penny, and going to the ER immediately if he starts complaining of stomach pain or vomiting... Pretty much, just wait and see unless he has other symptoms.
I did learn that these pennies are extremely toxic to dogs though!
Let it go - literally and figuratively. I can't imagine there will be a problem with a round object. As to how long it would take, it depends on the individual's digestive system. If you want to spend the next 2 days going through his stool, that's up to you. You can check in the toilet to see if it's visible. Otherwise, barring any problems (like abdominal pain), you can give the pediatrician a call on Monday to ask if there's anything else you need to do.
I don't know why someone would say zinc is a poison - it's an important element and is found in our food as well as most comprehensive dietary supplements.
new pennies have zinc in them, zinc is a poison..take the child to the er..NOW!! K. h.
This too shall "pass"..
Remind him not to put things in his mouth except food.
My daughter @ around 18 months swallowed a nickel. It passed the next morning without a problem. I felt awful but poison control said it was common and not too worry since it was round and smooth.
The only real threat that you need to watch for is pain that might indicate the coin is laying on it's side and in the opening and closing area of the stomach. It could possibly block it off and cause issues. It's really unlikely though.
My 2 yr old swallowed a nickel a few months ago. It went down on Saturday night and made it's reappearance on the following Tuesday morning. In our case, he was still in diapers so the searches were easy.
My daughter somehow swallowed a quarter when she was six. How she got it down without choking to death, I'll never know! I took her to the ER because quarters are big. They did an x-ray and it showed it was already in her intestine. They told me to search her poop and to have a follow up xray if I didn't find it.
It will probably be ok. However pennies since 1992 contain zinc and if they are retained in the stomach for any reason (sometimes happens) they can react with stomach acid and result in gastric ulceration/perforation or other signs of zinc toxicity. The recommendations I say online were if you don't see the penny in the poop in 1-2 days or if he has any stomach pain you need to see your doctor or the er. I personally would call your pediatrician (mine has someone on call for emergencies) and get his/her opinion.
All they are going to do at the ER is make sure his airway isn't blocked then tell you to be watching for it in his stool over the next couple of days if not them you may want to follow up with primary Dr :) he should be fine mom!
Take him to the doctor ASAP . Other coins ate no big deal but pennies can cause a lot of harm depending on what it is made of. Better safe then sorry.
Before going to the ER I would call Poison Control to ask them if there is any concern about toxicity.
When my little brother swallowed a nickel, the doctor told my mom to have him use a potty chair for a few days so that she could collect and examine his feces to make sure it passed. They usually pass in 24-48 hours.
When in doubt, call your pediatrician's office or a nurse triage line (if your insurance offers that). Much better and more reliable advice than anything you can find online.
