Strange Things Kids Swallow
by Cynthia Gould
CBS 42 News
2008-02-21 20:00:00.0
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If you've got children, you know they will put any and everything in their mouth. And sometimes those things end up stuck in their throats, stomachs or lungs. This is the story inside the emergency room at Children's Hospital to see how doctors find and retrieve the strange things kids swallow.
This battleship sank alright...straight down a child's throat. Earrings? One like this should never end up here. And safety pins? Not so safe here are they?
This isn't Ripley's Believe It or Not; it's what the staff at Children's Hospital in Birmingham deal with time and again.
“That's almost five inches long. Came out of someone's throat."
This bizarre collection of bottle tops, sewing needles even bullets have been taken out of kids dating back to the 70's. And that's the norm.
When asked what the strangest thing he’d ever seen was, Pediatric Otolaryngologist Dr. Jimmy Hill said, "Probably a whole country rib."
May as well have been a sword.
“Pretty much, if a child can get it in their mouth it will go down."
Loose change meant for the grocery store has gone down the wrong way at one time or another. But it's what you're supposed to put in your mouth that's just as hazardous: Food.
"It was a very harrowing experience."
Missy Cox got the shock of her life when her sitter called with the scary news that her son was choking on a grape. Fortunately paramedics got it out. But the mother was traumatized.
"I didn't allow grapes in the house five years after that. No peanuts or popcorn. We learned to chew very well after that," said Cox.
Now ten, McKinnon doesn't remember his close call.
Bottom line, choking can happen anywhere at any time. How you react could be the difference between life and death.
Experts say if your child is choking, call 911 first. Then use the Heimlich Maneuver instead.
Julie Farmer with Safe Kids said, “Put hand above belly button…quick thrusts."
If that fails, go to plan B. X-Rays pinpoint where the thing the child swallowed. Many times a bronchoscope can do the trick. It can be used to remove just about anything.
And keep this in mind: If something's stuck in the airway, it has to come out.
"If not recognized, develops into pneumonia.”
Choking deaths are dropping. That said, one is one too many.
"The biggest risk, the number one cause in home deaths of children one to three."
Rule of thumb, if it can fit through a toilet paper roll, it can get down a child's throat.
It's good to teach your child the universal sign of choking, by grabbing your neck. One thing you should not do if your child is choking is pat them on the back. That will only counteract the natural coughing reaction the body has to clear the throat.
Additional Information:
Since our report first aired, it has come to our attention that there is some difference of opinion within the medical/rescue communities about the use of back blows on choking children over the age of one. These opinions have changed over the years. Currently, the American Red Cross is among those that recommend back blows along with abdominal thrusts. A spokesperson says “we agree to disagree” with some other agencies on this issue.
As stated in our report, the abdominal thrust is only for children over the age of one. We have also included on our site information for assisting an infant who is choking. Please consult your physician if you have any questions. Several groups including Children’s Hospital and the Red Cross offer training for emergencies.
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