From the Guidelines
If your child has swallowed a bouncy ball, you should be concerned if it hasn't passed in stool within 3-5 days, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop. The size of the ball matters significantly, with larger balls (greater than 2-3 cm) posing a higher risk of causing an obstruction 1. According to the World Journal of Emergency Surgery, most ingested foreign bodies pass spontaneously through the gastrointestinal tract, but emergent flexible endoscopy is recommended for sharp-pointed objects, batteries, magnets, and foreign bodies inducing complete esophageal obstruction 1.
For non-sharp, non-battery, and non-magnet objects like bouncy balls, urgent (less than 24 hours) flexible endoscopy is recommended if there are symptoms or complete obstruction 1. While waiting to see if the ball passes naturally, ensure your child eats normally and drinks plenty of fluids to help move the object through the digestive tract. Some key points to consider include:
- The child's age and size of the ball: if the child is under 3 years old or the ball is larger than 2-3 cm, it's safest to consult a doctor immediately rather than waiting to see if it passes.
- Monitoring for symptoms: seek immediate medical attention if your child develops symptoms like vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, difficulty swallowing, drooling, wheezing, or if they stop having bowel movements.
- Avoiding laxatives: don't give laxatives unless specifically instructed by a healthcare provider, as this can sometimes cause more harm than good.
Given the potential risks associated with foreign body ingestion, it's crucial to prioritize caution and seek medical attention if there's any uncertainty or concern about the child's health 1.
From the Research
Symptoms to Watch for After a Child Swallows a Bouncy Ball
If a child swallows a bouncy ball and it is not seen in their stool, there are several symptoms to watch for that may indicate an intestinal obstruction:
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal distension
- Constipation or obstipation (inability to pass gas or stool)
- High-pitched bowel sounds
- Fever and leukocytosis (elevated white blood cell count) 2, 3
Diagnostic Tests
If an intestinal obstruction is suspected, diagnostic tests such as:
- Abdominal radiography (x-ray)
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Barium enema radiographic examination
- Colonoscopy may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis and determine the location and cause of the obstruction 2, 4, 3
When to Seek Medical Attention
If the child exhibits any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Vomiting blood or bile
- Fever over 101.5°F (38.6°C)
- Signs of dehydration (excessive thirst, dark urine, decreased urine output)
- Abdominal tenderness or guarding (muscle tension)
- Rebound tenderness (pain when pressing on the abdomen and then releasing) 2, 3, 5
Treatment
Treatment for an intestinal obstruction depends on the severity of the obstruction and the underlying cause. Medical management may include: