Swallowing a button battery is a serious medical danger. When ingested, a button battery can cause severe internal damage, requiring urgent medical attention.
Unique Hazards of Button Batteries
Button batteries pose a distinct danger compared to other swallowed objects due to a specific electrochemical reaction. When a button battery comes into contact with moist tissue, such as the lining of the esophagus, saliva acts as an electrolyte. This triggers an electrical current.
The electrical current causes hydrolysis of water within the tissue, producing hydroxide ions at the negative pole. Hydroxide is a strong alkali, similar to drain cleaners, causing severe alkaline corrosive burns. This type of burn leads to liquefaction necrosis, where tissue effectively dissolves, and can occur in as little as 15 minutes.
Understanding the Injuries and Symptoms
The corrosive action of a swallowed button battery can result in a range of severe injuries to internal tissues. The esophagus is particularly susceptible, with burns and perforations, or holes, developing rapidly. Beyond the esophagus, damage can extend to nearby structures, potentially causing vocal cord paralysis or direct injury to the trachea. Life-threatening complications can arise from damage to major blood vessels, such as the aorta, leading to a fistula and internal bleeding. Other potential injuries include tracheoesophageal fistulae (abnormal connections between the trachea and esophagus), lung abscesses, and esophageal strictures.
Symptoms of button battery ingestion can be non-specific, resembling common childhood illnesses and making early detection challenging. Symptoms might not appear immediately, and serious injury can progress silently. These signs can include:
Coughing
Drooling
Difficulty swallowing
Decreased appetite
Vomiting
Fever
Abdominal pain
Chest discomfort
General irritability
Noisy breathing
Hoarse voice
Emergency Response and Medical Care
Immediate action is necessary if button battery ingestion is suspected or confirmed. Call emergency services (911) or a poison control center (1-800-222-1222) without delay. Transport the individual, especially a child, to the nearest emergency room.
Avoid certain actions during this emergency. Do not attempt to induce vomiting, as this can cause further injury as the battery passes back through the esophagus. Do not give the individual any food or drink until a medical professional assesses the situation. For children over 12 months old, if the ingestion occurred within the last 12 hours and honey is immediately available, administering 10 milliliters (two teaspoons) of honey every 10 minutes, up to six doses, while en route to the hospital, may help coat the esophagus and mitigate some injury; however, this should not delay seeking urgent medical care.
Upon arrival at the medical facility, inform staff that button battery ingestion is suspected. Medical professionals typically perform an X-ray, often from two angles, to locate the battery and determine its position. If the battery is lodged in the esophagus, urgent endoscopic removal is necessary, ideally within two hours, to prevent further tissue damage. For batteries that have passed beyond the esophagus, monitoring may be an option, though endoscopy might still be considered, particularly for larger batteries or if symptoms develop. In cases of delayed diagnosis or suspected vascular involvement, a CT scan may assess the extent of injury.
Preventing Future Incidents
Proactive measures prevent button battery ingestion incidents. Keep all new and used button batteries securely stored, out of reach and sight of children. Use child-resistant containers and high, locked cupboards for storage to minimize accessibility.
Also, secure devices containing button batteries. Ensure battery compartments on household items are child-resistant and securely screwed shut. For added security, consider taping the battery compartments of frequently used items, such as remote controls, to prevent easy access. Many common household items contain these batteries, including:
Remote controls
Toys
Key fobs
Hearing aids
Watches
Musical greeting cards
Proper disposal of used button batteries is also a key preventive measure. Even “dead” batteries retain enough charge to cause injury, so treat them with the same caution as new ones. Before discarding, tape both sides of the used battery to prevent short circuits and reduce re-ingestion risk. Check with local waste authorities or battery recycling programs for appropriate disposal, as button batteries should not always be placed in regular trash or recycling bins.