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Oesophageal complication from button battery ingestion in an infant
Adelene Y Liao1, David McDonald
1The Children's Hospital at Westmead, New South Wales, Australia. adeleneliao@gmail.com
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|August 1, 2012
Summary
Button battery ingestion in children poses significant risks. Modern, larger, and more powerful batteries cause severe tissue injury, necessitating prompt diagnosis and removal to prevent complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric medicine
- Emergency medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- Button battery ingestion is a known hazard in children.
- Clinicians are aware of the risks associated with swallowing small batteries.
Observation:
- Modern button batteries are larger (20 mm) and more powerful (3 V) than older versions (10 mm, 1.5 V).
- These larger batteries are more likely to lodge in narrow anatomical areas.
- Ingested modern batteries lead to quicker and more severe tissue damage.
Findings:
- The physical and electrical properties of current button batteries exacerbate injury.
- Impaired passage through physiological narrowings increases the risk of esophageal or gastric impaction.
- Delayed diagnosis or treatment can result in severe mucosal burns, perforation, or mediastinitis.
Implications:
- A high index of suspicion for button battery ingestion is crucial in pediatric cases.
- Timely and appropriate imaging (e.g., X-ray) is essential for diagnosis.
- Prompt endoscopic or surgical removal of ingested button batteries is vital to minimize morbidity and mortality.
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