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Cutaneous button battery injury: a new paediatric hazard
R A Lewandowski1, J F Leditschke
1University Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery
|July 1, 1991
Summary
Button or disc batteries can cause severe skin burns, a previously unreported injury. This highlights a new hazard associated with these common electronic power sources, especially in children.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Button or disc batteries are widely used in electronic devices like toys, watches, and hearing aids.
- Previous reports documented button battery injuries to the gastrointestinal tract, ear, and nose, primarily in children.
- Cutaneous (skin) injury from button batteries has not been previously reported.
Observation:
- A case is presented of cutaneous injury resulting from a button battery.
- This injury represents a novel finding not previously documented in medical literature.
Findings:
- Button batteries pose a significant risk of causing severe cutaneous burns.
- The benign appearance of button batteries belies their potential for causing serious tissue damage.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider button battery exposure in cases of unexplained cutaneous burns, particularly in children.
- Awareness of this potential hazard is crucial for preventing and managing button battery-related injuries.
- Further research may be needed to understand the mechanisms of button battery-induced skin injury and develop preventative strategies.