What Are The Repercussions Of The Accidental Ingestion Of Straw By A Child?

Posted on Mon, 14 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 14 Sep 2015 Answered on

Wed, 7 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My daughter was chewing on a whole drinking straw and accidentally swallowed it. She had chewed it into a spiral shape. She is breathing normally and says she can't feel it anywhere. Will it digest?

Answered by Dr. Archana Verma (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Don't worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM

I understand your concerns but don't worry. Since the straw is made up of non digestible material, so it should hopefully be out in poops in the following few days. Feeding her fibre rich diet and bananas will help her ease it.

There may be a rare probability of straw getting stuck in gut leading to obstruction.She may have abdominal pain, distension or vomiting in that case. So, I would recommend you to visit a pediatric surgeon if she shows the above mentioned symptoms.

Hopefully this will help you. I would be happy to help you in any further questions.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar