Frequency of Kids Swallowing Foreign Objects Soars

Coins, toys, jewelry, button batteries, these are things you might find in your child’s piggy bank or toy box, right? A new study shows that these items can also be found in your kid’s stomach too!

According to recent research published in the journal Pediatrics, more than 755,000 children -- an average of close to 100 per day -- swallowed objects and were taken to ERs over the 20-year study period. The rate jumped from almost 10 per 10,000 ER visits to 18 per 10,000; an over 90 percent increase!

Dr. Laura Scott, Director of Pediatric Emergency/Inpatient Unit at GBMC, did not contribute to the study, but offers this explanation on why we are seeing such a major increase…