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Information on COVID-19
Learn more about COVID-19, information about previously scheduled appointments and what you can do to help protect your child and family. View COVID-19 information.
Visitor Restrictions
Riley at IU Health Facilities have implemented visitor restrictions to help minimize the spread of COVID-19, flu and other respiratory viruses. View visitor restrictions.
Information on Previously Scheduled Outpatient Appointments
To ensure the health and safety of all our patients and team members during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we’re making adjustments to some of our outpatient appointments. View updates to outpatient appointments.
Free Virtual Coronavirus Screenings
IU Health has launched a virtual clinic to offer individuals in Indiana regardless of age free coronavirus (COVID-19) screenings. View screening details.
- Actualizaciones del Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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Información sobre el COVID-19
Obtenga más información acerca del COVID-19, incluyendo las preguntas más frecuentes y lo que puede hacer para ayudar a protegerse y proteger a su familia. Ver información del COVID-19.
Restricciones para visitantes
Las instalaciones de salud de IU Health han implementado restricciones a los visitantes para ayudar a minimizar la propagación del COVID-19, la gripe y otros virus respiratorios. Ver restricciones para visitantes.
Información sobre citas ambulatorias previamente programadas
Para asegurar la salud y la seguridad de todos nuestros pacientes y empleados durante la pandemia del coronavirus (COVID-19), estamos haciendo ajustes en algunas de nuestras citas ambulatorias. Ver actualizaciones de citas ambulatorias.
Exámenes de coronavirus virtuales gratuitos
IU Health ha lanzado una clínica virtual para ofrecer a las personas en Indiana, independientemente de la edad, evaluaciones virtuales para la detección del coronavirus (COVID-19). Ver detalles de la evaluación.
Same-Day Primary Care Appointments.
A foreign body (or foreign object) is anything that should not be swallowed. If a foreign body is swallowed, it may become stuck along the digestive tract. Children between 1 and 3 years of age are most at risk of swallowing a foreign body, though this can happen at any age.
Symptoms of swallowing a foreign object include:
- Swallowing problems
- Coughing
- Drooling
- Pain
- Vomiting
Diagnosis of Foreign Body
If you know your child absolutely or likely swallowed a foreign object, a pediatric gastroenterologist can perform the following exams to make a diagnosis:
- Physical exam. A pediatric specialist will talk with you and your child and examine your child’s body.
- X-ray. An X-ray will show the object and find out if it is moving through the digestive tract.
Treatments
Treatments
If your child swallows a foreign body, his or her doctor can do the following:
- Watch and wait. If the foreign body is of no danger to your child and can pass through the digestive tract without complications, your child's pediatric gastroenterologist will have you observe your child at home. Sometimes you can see the foreign body in the stool within a few days but not always.
- Upper endoscopy. If the foreign object is of danger to your child, cannot be easily passed or is lodged in the esophagus, a pediatric gastroenterologist will perform an endoscopy to remove the object. An endoscope is a long flexible tube with a camera attached. For retrieval of a foreign body, a pair of forceps (grasper) is inserted and used to remove the object from the digestive tract. The procedure is done in the operating room under general anesthesia so that your child will not feel any pain.
If your child swallowed a battery that is present in the esophagus, it must be removed with an emergency endoscopy to avoid life-threatening burns.
Key Points to Remember
Key Points to Remember
- Contact your healthcare provider if you believe your child has swallowed a foreign body. If your child swallowed a battery, treat the event as an emergency and seek immediate care.
- Most objects will pass through the digestive tract without complication, but it is important that you talk to your child's healthcare provider about treatment options.
- If a foreign body is not passable through the digestive tract, your child's pediatric gastroenterologist can perform an endoscopy (an outpatient procedure) to remove the object.
- To prevent your child from swallowing a foreign body, keep small objects out of his or her reach.
Support Services & Resources
Support Services & Resources
Visit the websites below to find support groups and services and learn more about foreign bodies.
Riley at IU Health offers a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.
Learn about the symptoms of inhaling or swallowing a button battery and what to do if you believe your child has inhaled or swallowed one.
Call 1.800.222.1222 to reach the emergency telephone service and information resource center of the Indiana Poison Center, the designated Regional Poison Information Center for the state. Services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Locations
Locations
Locations
In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.
Riley Outpatient Center at IU Health
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
575 Riley Hospital Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46202