Button batteries are a common household hazard, found in many devices like remote controls, toys, watches, and key fobs. Their small, coin shape makes them easily accessible to young children, who may inadvertently swallow them. Ingestion of a button battery is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
The Silent Threat: Rapid Internal Damage
Damage from a swallowed button battery begins almost immediately, often before any noticeable symptoms appear. When lodged in the esophagus or other moist tissues, body fluids like saliva trigger an electrochemical reaction. This reaction generates an electrical current, creating a highly alkaline environment that causes a severe chemical burn, known as liquefaction necrosis. This process can rapidly erode tissues, with visible injury sometimes noted within just 15 minutes of contact.
Life-threatening damage can occur in as little as two hours, including severe esophageal burns, perforation, airway obstruction, or erosion into major blood vessels. Unlike other swallowed objects, the primary danger is the internal chemical burn that progressively dissolves tissue, not choking. Even after removal, the alkaline environment and deep tissue injury can continue to cause damage, emphasizing the urgency of immediate intervention. Injury severity depends on factors like battery size, current, and duration and location of lodgement.
Recognizing the Signs: When Symptoms Emerge
The onset of symptoms after swallowing a button battery can vary widely, sometimes appearing within minutes or hours, but often taking days to manifest. This delay, coupled with the non-specific nature of many symptoms, can make early recognition challenging. Symptoms frequently mimic common childhood illnesses, leading to potential misdiagnosis.
Common signs of ingestion include coughing, noisy breathing, or drooling. A child might also exhibit difficulty swallowing, gagging when eating or drinking, or a refusal to eat. Other indicators may include a sore throat, chest discomfort, or abdominal pain. In more severe cases, symptoms such as vomiting, fever, irritability, or blood in saliva, vomit, or stool may appear. The absence of immediate or obvious symptoms does not mean the battery is harmless or has passed without issue.
Immediate Action: What to Do
If button battery ingestion is suspected, immediate medical attention is essential, even without symptoms. Do not wait for signs of distress. Promptly call emergency services (e.g., 911 in the U.S.) or your local poison control center. Providing clear information about the suspected ingestion and any observed symptoms can guide responders.
Do not induce vomiting or offer food or drink, as this can cause further tissue damage or interfere with medical procedures. Do not attempt to retrieve the battery yourself. Medical professionals will perform a rapid X-ray to confirm the battery’s presence and exact location. If lodged in the esophagus, prompt endoscopic removal by a specialist is critical to prevent severe, irreversible damage. For children over 12 months old, honey may be administered while en route to the hospital to potentially reduce injury, but this should never delay urgent medical care.
Prevention and Awareness
Proactive prevention is essential to avoiding button battery ingestion incidents. All button batteries and devices containing them should be kept out of reach of children, ideally in locked cabinets or drawers. Households should regularly check items commonly powered by button batteries, such as remote controls, toys, key fobs, and small electronics. Securing battery compartments with strong tape can add an extra layer of protection if they are easily opened.
Educating family members, babysitters, and other caregivers about the dangers of button batteries is an important step. Increasing awareness ensures all individuals interacting with children understand the risks and proper storage practices. Discarded batteries, even “dead” ones, can still pose a threat and should be disposed of safely and immediately.