Beware! The hidden dangers of button battery ingestion to children

According to Poison Control, approximately 3,300 cases of button battery ingestion are reported annually in the United States, with nearly two-thirds of these incidents involving children under the age of six. These situations are particularly hazardous, as 12.6% of children under six who ingested a button battery sized 20-25mm suffered severe complications or even death.

Button batteries pose significant dangers due to their small size and shape, which makes them prone to becoming lodged in the esophagus. Once lodged, they can cause harmful burns because they adhere to the esophageal lining. There are three primary mechanisms by which these batteries cause injury: first, by generating a current that produces hydroxide at the negative pole, leading to tissue damage; second, by leaking alkaline electrolytes; and third, by exerting pressure on the intestinal mucosa.

If a battery ingestion is suspected, the initial and most crucial step is to assess the patient’s airway to ensure it is clear and that the battery has not been aspirated into the trachea. Once the airway is stabilized and there are no immediate signs indicating the need for surgical or gastrointestinal (GI) intervention, an X-ray should be performed to locate the battery. For children, this is typically done using a “baby-gram,” an X-ray from head to pelvis. If the battery is found in the esophagus, as seen in the X-ray example, a GI consult should be sought immediately to remove the battery via endoscopy and evaluate for any tissue damage. If the child shows symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, or abdominal pain, the battery should be removed immediately, regardless of its location.

Safety Tips for Parents:

- Always keep batteries out of reach of young children to prevent life-threatening incidents.

- Store devices powered by button batteries securely, as children may remove the batteries and swallow them.

- Use child-proofing measures or tape to secure batteries in devices, making them harder for children to access.

- If you suspect your child has swallowed a battery, even if you did not witness it, contact the National Battery Hotline at 202-625-3333 and immediately take your child to the nearest emergency room.