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Pediatric button battery injuries: 2013 task force update
Kris R Jatana1, Toby Litovitz, James S Reilly
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital and Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43205, United States. Kris.Jatana@osumc.edu
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|July 31, 2013
Summary
Button battery ingestion in children is rising, causing severe injuries and death. A national task force is developing prevention strategies to address this critical public health issue.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Public Health
- Medical Device Safety
Background:
- A significant increase in severe pediatric injuries from button battery ingestion has been observed over the past decade.
- Ingestion of button batteries, especially those 20mm or larger, can lead to rapid, life-threatening esophageal damage, including aortic erosion and fatal hemorrhage.
- Initial symptoms can be non-specific, delaying diagnosis until catastrophic injury occurs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the escalating problem of pediatric button battery ingestions and their severe consequences.
- To provide an update on the formation and multi-faceted approach of a national Button Battery Task Force dedicated to injury prevention.
- To summarize expert discussions on mitigation strategies presented at the 2013 American Broncho-Esophagological Association (ABEA) Meeting.
Main Methods:
- Review of injury incidence trends related to pediatric button battery ingestions.
- Description of the collaborative efforts of a national Button Battery Task Force comprising medical, public health, industry, poison control, and government representatives.
- Summary of findings and recommendations from an expert panel discussion at the ABEA Meeting.
Main Results:
- Button battery ingestions pose a rapidly escalating risk to children, with larger batteries (≥20mm) posing a higher threat of esophageal impaction and severe injury.
- A national task force has been established, employing a comprehensive strategy involving diverse stakeholders to prevent these injuries.
- Expert consensus highlights the urgency and outlines key areas for intervention and prevention.
Conclusions:
- The rise in severe pediatric button battery injuries necessitates urgent, multi-faceted prevention efforts.
- Collaboration between medicine, public health, industry, and government is crucial for effective injury mitigation.
- Continued vigilance and implementation of task force strategies are essential to reduce the incidence of these life-threatening events.
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