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Button batteries
01 In Brief
Did you know that many household objects contain small button batteries that are very dangerous if ingested by children. More than 3,500 incidents of button battery ingestion are reported to U.S. poison control centers each year, and these incidents may be vastly under-reported.
02 What Do I Need To Know?
From Medscape:Button battery Ingestions: A growing risk for kids March 24, 2014
Button batteries have been an emerging threat for children over the past several years. There are over 3500 ingestions of button batteries per year, placing children at risk for serious injury and even death.[1] In fact, there have been 29 deaths from 1977 to 2012 from button battery ingestions, and 24 of those 29 deaths have been during the past 8 years. There have been recent data to suggest that button batteries are ingested more frequently over the winter months during the holiday season, when there are more toys and electronics within the household.[2]
Button batteries of any size are dangerous, but the larger button batteries -- ones that are 20 mm or greater -- are at particular risk for getting stuck in the esophagus, where they can cause significant damage.
Here is a remote control from my very own household. As you can see, the back of this remote control pops open very easily, and the large button battery slides out with ease. For reference, large, 20-mm button batteries are about the same size as a nickel.
Button batteries are in many different things. Another example is the singing holiday cards or birthday cards. Although these are fun, they are very dangerous. The back of this card can open very easily, and the button battery that supplies the energy for the card can be easily accessed by a child. Button batteries are also in hearing aids, watches, and handheld video games.
Button battery ingestion by a child is often unwitnessed. Therefore, parents and physicians have to be very wary for particular signs that can indicate an ingestion. Some of those signs include, but are not limited to, vomiting, trouble swallowing, pain with swallowing, cough, gagging, drooling, and any pain in the chest or the neck area, as well as many other symptoms.
Why do button batteries cause so much damage? What is it about them being stuck in the esophagus that causes the damage? When a patient swallows the battery, the direct contact with the esophagus causes a hydrolytic current to be produced at the negative pole of the battery. These big batteries often have double the voltage that regular batteries use, so there's double the electricity creating an electrolysis reaction and production of many hydroxide ions, which causes the damage.
If you suspect that a child has swallowed a button battery, you need to refer him or her to the nearest emergency department. They need to have an x-ray, which can determine where the button battery is, and also make sure that it is a button battery. Button batteries can look similar to coins.
On an anterior/posterior view of a chest x-ray, you may see a double rim or "halo" effect. On the lateral view, you may see a notch or a step-off.
It's important to know where is the battery is located. If it's in the esophagus, it needs to be removed immediately. It's a medical emergency; injury can occur in as little as 2 hours. If the button battery is past the esophagus in the stomach or the intestines, it rarely needs to be removed. Batteries in these locations can usually be allowed to pass spontaneously unless the patient is symptomatic.
Aside from referring a patient to an emergency department, you should also inform the parents to try to note the size and type of battery that their child swallowed. They also should not induce vomiting or have the child eat or drink anything.
03 What Others Say
- American Academy of Pediatrics
First Aid after ingestion of a Button Battery
04 I Want To Know More
- Read about Emmett's Fight: parent website dedicated to educating families to thedangers of Button Batteries after ingestion of one nearly took their son's life
The information is not intended to take the place of medical advice.
Please seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
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Last updated: 03/04/2014 by Dr Elizabeth Hallam