What are the risks of swallowing a button battery. How to identify symptoms of battery ingestion. When to seek medical help for swallowed batteries. What complications can arise from battery ingestion. How to prevent accidental battery swallowing in children.

Understanding Button Batteries and Their Dangers

Button batteries are small, round power sources commonly found in everyday devices. Their compact size and widespread use make them particularly hazardous, especially for children who might mistake them for candy or toys. These batteries can be found in various household items, including:

• Watches
• Hearing aids
• Calculators
• Cameras
• Penlights

The dangers of button batteries extend beyond mere ingestion. If inhaled through the nose, they can cause severe respiratory issues. When swallowed, they can become lodged in the esophagus or stomach, leading to potentially life-threatening complications.

Recognizing Symptoms of Battery Ingestion or Inhalation

Identifying the symptoms of battery ingestion or inhalation is crucial for prompt medical intervention. The manifestations can vary depending on whether the battery is swallowed or inhaled.

Symptoms of Inhaled Button Batteries

When a button battery is inhaled, it can cause immediate respiratory distress. Symptoms may include:

• Breathing difficulties
• Persistent cough
• Wheezing
• Pneumonia (if undetected for an extended period)
• Potential complete airway obstruction

Symptoms of Swallowed Button Batteries

Ingestion of a button battery may not always produce immediate symptoms. However, if the battery becomes lodged in the esophagus or stomach, the following symptoms may occur:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloody stools
• Chest pain
• Drooling
• Nausea or vomiting (possibly bloody)
• Metallic taste in the mouth
• Difficulty or pain when swallowing
• In severe cases, cardiovascular collapse (shock)

Do batteries always cause symptoms when swallowed? Not necessarily. In some cases, a swallowed battery may pass through the digestive system without causing noticeable symptoms. However, this doesn’t mean it’s harmless, as internal damage can still occur.

Immediate Actions to Take After Battery Ingestion

If you suspect that you or someone else has swallowed a button battery, it’s crucial to act quickly. Here are the immediate steps to take:

1. Seek medical help immediately. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear.
2. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a healthcare professional or poison control center.
3. If possible, determine the size and type of the swallowed battery.
4. Note the time when the battery was swallowed.
5. Contact the National Button Battery Ingestion Hotline at 800-498-8666 for specialized guidance.

Is it safe to wait and see if the battery passes naturally? No, waiting is not recommended. The potential for severe internal damage increases with time, making immediate medical attention crucial.

Medical Treatment for Swallowed Batteries

When a person arrives at a medical facility after swallowing a battery, healthcare professionals will take several steps to assess and treat the situation:

• X-rays to locate the battery and determine its size
• Endoscopy to remove the battery if it’s lodged in the esophagus
• Monitoring for potential complications
• Administration of medication to protect the esophagus and stomach lining
• In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair damaged tissue

How long does it take for a swallowed battery to cause damage? Serious tissue damage can occur within two hours of ingestion, emphasizing the need for rapid medical intervention.

Potential Complications of Battery Ingestion

The ingestion of button batteries can lead to severe complications, some of which may be life-threatening. These complications can include:

• Esophageal burns and perforations
• Tracheoesophageal fistulas (abnormal connections between the esophagus and trachea)
• Aortoesophageal fistulas (life-threatening connections between the aorta and esophagus)
• Vocal cord paralysis
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Sepsis
• In rare cases, death

Can swallowed batteries cause long-term health issues? Yes, even after removal, the damage caused by battery ingestion can lead to long-term health problems, including difficulty swallowing, chronic pain, and gastrointestinal issues.

Prevention Strategies for Battery-Related Accidents

Preventing battery ingestion is far preferable to treating its consequences. Here are some strategies to reduce the risk of battery-related accidents:

• Store batteries out of reach of children
• Securely fasten battery compartments on all devices
• Dispose of used batteries properly and immediately
• Teach children about the dangers of batteries
• Keep devices with button batteries away from small children
• Consider using devices with secured battery compartments when possible

How can parents educate children about battery safety? Use age-appropriate language to explain the dangers, demonstrate proper handling, and establish clear rules about not touching or playing with batteries.

The Role of Poison Control Centers in Battery Ingestion Cases

Poison control centers play a crucial role in managing cases of battery ingestion. These centers offer:

• 24/7 expert advice on handling battery ingestion
• Guidance on immediate actions to take
• Information on symptoms to watch for
• Referrals to appropriate medical facilities
• Follow-up care instructions

The national Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) connects callers to their local poison control center, providing immediate access to expert advice.

When should you call a poison control center for battery ingestion? It’s advisable to call immediately upon suspicion of battery ingestion, even if no symptoms are present. Early intervention can prevent serious complications.

Advances in Battery Safety and Future Directions

As awareness of the dangers posed by button batteries grows, efforts are being made to improve their safety. Some of these advancements include:

• Development of batteries with bitter coatings to discourage ingestion
• Improved battery compartment designs to prevent easy access
• Research into less corrosive battery materials
• Enhanced warning labels and packaging
• Public awareness campaigns about battery dangers

What are some promising innovations in battery safety? Some manufacturers are exploring batteries that become inert when exposed to saliva, potentially reducing the risk of internal damage if swallowed.

The Importance of Ongoing Research

Continued research into battery safety is crucial for reducing the incidence and severity of battery-related injuries. Areas of focus include:

• Developing more effective treatments for battery-induced tissue damage
• Improving diagnostic techniques for identifying battery ingestion
• Creating safer alternatives to traditional button batteries
• Enhancing public education strategies to prevent accidents

How can individuals contribute to battery safety research? Participating in surveys, reporting incidents to appropriate authorities, and supporting organizations dedicated to child safety can all contribute to advancing battery safety research.

Global Efforts to Address Battery Safety

Battery safety is a global concern, with various countries implementing measures to reduce risks:

• Stricter regulations on battery manufacturing and packaging
• International collaborations on safety standards
• Cross-border sharing of incident data and treatment protocols
• Global public awareness campaigns

Are there international differences in approaches to battery safety? While the overall goal of preventing battery-related injuries is universal, specific regulations and public health strategies may vary between countries based on local factors and healthcare systems.

The Psychological Impact of Battery Ingestion Incidents

The experience of swallowing a battery or caring for someone who has can have significant psychological effects. These may include:

• Anxiety about potential health consequences
• Guilt in parents or caregivers of affected children
• Post-traumatic stress in severe cases
• Fear of using battery-operated devices

How can families cope with the stress of a battery ingestion incident? Seeking support from mental health professionals, joining support groups, and maintaining open communication about the experience can help in managing the psychological impact.

Support for Affected Individuals and Families

Various resources are available to support those affected by battery ingestion incidents:

• Counseling services specializing in medical trauma
• Support groups for families affected by similar incidents
• Educational materials to help understand and process the experience
• Follow-up care programs to address both physical and emotional needs

Where can families find specialized support for battery ingestion incidents? Many pediatric hospitals and poison control centers offer resources and referrals for psychological support tailored to these specific situations.

Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Battery Safety

The legal landscape surrounding battery safety encompasses various aspects:

• Product liability laws for battery manufacturers
• Safety standards for battery-operated devices
• Regulations on battery disposal and recycling
• Requirements for child-resistant packaging

What legal recourse do families have in cases of battery-related injuries? Depending on the circumstances, families may have grounds for legal action against manufacturers or retailers if negligence or product defects contributed to the incident.

Advocacy for Improved Safety Measures

Various organizations and individuals advocate for enhanced battery safety measures, including:

• Lobbying for stricter safety regulations
• Promoting public awareness campaigns
• Encouraging industry self-regulation and innovation
• Supporting research into safer battery technologies

How can individuals get involved in battery safety advocacy? Joining consumer safety organizations, participating in awareness campaigns, and contacting legislators about battery safety concerns are effective ways to contribute to advocacy efforts.

The issue of battery ingestion remains a significant public health concern, requiring ongoing attention from healthcare providers, manufacturers, regulators, and the public. By understanding the risks, recognizing symptoms, taking immediate action when incidents occur, and supporting prevention efforts, we can work towards reducing the incidence and impact of battery-related injuries. As research advances and safety measures improve, the hope is to see a significant decrease in these potentially life-threatening accidents, ensuring a safer environment for all, especially our most vulnerable populations.

Button batteries Information | Mount Sinai

Swallowing batteries

Button batteries are tiny, round batteries. They are commonly used in watches and hearing aids. Children often swallow these batteries or put them up their nose. They can be breathed in more deeply (inhaled) from the nose.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Also, you can call the National Button Battery Ingestion Hotline (800-498-8666).

Where Found

These devices use button batteries:

• Calculators
• Cameras
• Hearing aids
• Penlights
• Watches

Symptoms

If a person puts the battery up their nose and breathes it further in, these symptoms may occur:

• Breathing problems
• Cough
• Pneumonia (if the battery goes unnoticed)
• Possible complete blockage of the airway
• Wheezing

A swallowed battery may cause no symptoms at all. But if it becomes stuck in the food pipe (esophagus) or stomach, these symptoms may occur:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloody stools
• Cardiovascular collapse (shock)
• Chest pain
• Drooling
• Nausea or vomiting (possibly bloody)
• Metallic taste in the mouth
• Painful or difficult swallowing

Home Care

Seek medical help right away. Do not make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to.

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

• Person’s age, weight, and condition
• Time the battery was swallowed
• Size of the swallowed battery

Poison Control

Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Also, you can call the National Button Battery Ingestion Hotline (800-498-8666).

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The provider will measure and monitor the person’s vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated.

The person may receive:

• X-rays to locate the batteries
• Bronchoscopy — camera placed down the throat into the lungs to remove the battery if it is in the windpipe or lungs
• Direct laryngoscopy — (a procedure to look into the voice box and vocal cords) or surgery right away if the battery was breathed in and is causing a life-threatening airway blockage
• Endoscopy — camera to remove the battery if it was swallowed and is still in the esophagus or stomach
• Fluids by vein (intravenous)
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Blood and urine tests

If the battery has passed through the stomach into the small intestine, the usual treatment is to do another x-ray in 1 to 2 days to make sure the battery is moving through the intestines.

The battery should continue to be followed with x-rays until it passes in the stool. If nausea, vomiting, fever, or abdominal pain develop, it may mean that the battery has caused a blockage of the intestines. If this happens, surgery may be needed to remove the battery and reverse the blockage.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most swallowed batteries pass through the stomach and intestines without causing any serious damage.

How well someone does depends on the type of battery they swallowed and how quickly they receive treatment. The faster medical help is given, the better the chance for recovery.

Burns in the esophagus and stomach may result in ulcers and fluid leakage. This can lead to serious infection and possibly surgery. Complications become more likely the longer the battery is in contact with internal structures.

Munter DW. Esophageal foreign bodies. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges’ Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 39.

Schoem SR, Rosbe KW, Lee ER. Aerodigestive foreign bodies and caustic ingestions. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 211.

Thomas SH, Goodloe JM. Foreign bodies. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 53.

Tibballs J. Paediatric poisoning and envenomation. In: Bersten AD, Handy JM, eds. Oh’s Intensive Care Manual. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 114.

Last reviewed on: 11/13/2021

Reviewed by: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A. D.A.M. Editorial team.

Button Batteries Ingestion – Symptoms and Complications

Health and Safety

​Button batteries are the coin-size batteries found in many electronic devices, like wristwatches, calculators, toys or even recorded birthday cards use button batteries. 

Button batteries are the most harmful type of battery if swallowed by young children, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). 

What makes button battery ingestion such a risk for children? The small size of these batteries means they are easy to swallow. They can get stuck in the esophagus (throat), leading to serious injury. They are the leading cause of death by ingestion. Poison control centers across the United States report that about 3,500 button batteries are swallowed each year.

Button Battery Ingestion Symptoms

The symptoms of battery ingestion include:

• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing and swallowing

Complications of Button Battery Ingestion

In many cases, the battery passes through the intestines and exits the body safely. However, this is not always the case. They can easily get lodged in the esophagus and lead to dangerous side effects. 

Batteries stuck in the throat cause an electric current and can leak corrosive chemicals, like alkaline electrolyte. These corrosive chemicals can cause internal damage due to the buildup of hydroxide, a chemical that can cause dangerous burns within a couple of hours. Unfortunately, the damage caused may continue long after the battery is removed from the body.

What To Do If a Child Swallows a Button Battery

If your child ingests a battery, take the following steps:

• 
  Immediately call the 24-hour National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 1-(800)-498-8666 or call your poison center at 1-(800)-222-1222.
• Provide the battery identification number, if you have it. It can be found on the package or from a matching battery.
• An x-ray must be obtained right away to be sure that the battery has gone through the esophagus into the stomach. If the battery remains in the esophagus, it must be removed. Most batteries move on to the stomach and can be allowed to pass by themselves.
• Do not induce vomiting.
• Do not allow your child to eat or drink until after the x-ray. If the battery has passed through the esophagus to the stomach, your child may eat or drink.
• Watch for physical symptoms, including fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, or blood in the stools or vomit.
• Check your child’s stools until you know the battery has passed.

How to Prevent Children from Swallowing Batteries

Swallowing batteries is dangerous – no matter the size. Follow these tips to keep your children safe.

• Search your home for devices that may contain button batteries. Do not allow children to play with toys or devices containing these batteries unsupervised.
• Secure button battery-controlled toys and devices out of reach of children.
• Keep loose batteries and replacement batteries securely locked away.

Health and Safety

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A child has swallowed a battery. What to do? Don’t waste a second!

December 31, 2019

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Image caption,

Sophie swallowed a battery when she was two years old. She made a full recovery, but her life was in danger

Two-year-old Sophie Skill from Sheffield, UK had to spend several days in the intensive care unit after swallowing a shiny, round battery the size of a small coin.

Battery acid burned through her esophagus and lung, causing excruciating pain. Her life was in danger.

According to doctors, Sophie’s case is not out of the ordinary: in the UK, on ​​average, two children die each year due to swallowed batteries.

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Resembling a button (and a lollipop for a child) button cell batteries are widely used in gadgets and toys, which will soon be in large quantities under Christmas trees, wrapped in gift wrapping.

They can be found in gaming headphones, fitness bands, toy robots, car keys and glowing yo-yos. They are also found in garlands, lanterns, control panels, singing figures, musical cards, and even Christmas sweaters.

Shiny silver button cell is very attractive to the baby. But if a child swallows a battery, the danger is not only that it can choke. The battery can cause severe burns to internal organs.

Claire Skill, Sophie’s mother, hopes that what happened to her daughter will be a lesson to other parents.

Serious injury

Claire still has no idea where Sophie found this ill-fated battery.

“She was breathing normally, but she was screaming very loudly, just sobbing. I’ve never heard anything like that,” says Claire.

She immediately took Sophie to the hospital, and when the doctors found out what was causing her pain, she was immediately sent to the operating room to remove the battery.

Image copyright, Getty Images

Image caption,

A child might mistake a button cell for a lollipop

Although Claire was quick to call for help, Claire was seriously injured.

“In two hours, the battery managed to cause serious damage. They took an x-ray, and it turned out that the button cell burned her esophagus and lung. I had to put her on a ventilator,” she said.

After the operation, the girl spent several days in the intensive care unit and several weeks in the hospital ward.

Sophie is now six years old and fully recovered.

Chemical reaction

Saliva and other bodily fluids cause a chemical reaction when in contact with the battery, which releases corrosive substances, so it is vital in such cases to seek immediate medical attention and do it as soon as possible.

Every minute counts here, experts say. Even a dead battery can seriously harm a child.

Royal Society accident prevention expert Ashley Martin gave some advice:

• Make sure that toys and other devices that use button cells have lockable or screw-on battery compartments batteries a small child can easily open
• Make sure that spare batteries are kept out of the reach of children and that used batteries are disposed of immediately

England’s chief medical officer, Stephen Powys, said: “Young kids can mistake button batteries for candy. We want to educate parents about how deadly batteries can be.”

“The easiest way to protect children is to store batteries out of reach and make sure that used batteries are locked or screwed tightly into their compartments,” he says.

If you suspect that a child has swallowed a battery, do not waste time and seek medical attention immediately.

What should I do if my child swallows a tablet battery?

Many electrical appliances require batteries in the form of batteries. Manufacturers offer devices that differ in electrolyte type, size, shape, and capacity. In the article we will talk about batteries, tablets or coins. You will learn about their features, and what to do if a child has swallowed the device. Read.

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Disc batteries features

The tablet battery is a round shaped galvanic battery. For the first time, the device was widely used in electronic watches, so it is also called a watch. Other common names are “tablet”, “coin”, “button”.

There are many types of disc batteries. They differ in size and types of electrolytes. Basic:

• AG0-AG13;
• CR2016;
• CR2025;
• CR.

Due to their small size, batteries can be used in compact devices – watches, toys, sensors, calculators, laser pointers, hearing aids, scales.

How to insert tablet batteries?

When the battery has expired, the tablet battery needs to be replaced. Having bought a similar battery, proceed to remove the old one. First you need to loosen the corresponding clips on the sides of the connector. If the device sits very tightly, then use a screwdriver.

To install a new element into the socket, it is enough to put it on top and press lightly until the characteristic click of the side latches. Then check the fit. The correct position is labeled up.

What should I do if my child has swallowed a tablet battery?

Children aged 8 months to 3 years often swallow foreign objects. Neglect of safety rules sometimes leads to disastrous consequences.

Disc batteries pose a significant risk to children. When swallowed, the battery reacts with saliva and esophageal mucosa to form an alkaline solution. It causes significant damage to the esophagus. The longer the time before device removal, the greater the risk of significant damage to the esophagus.

If a child has swallowed a tablet battery, they should immediately go to the hospital.