Button Battery Ingestion: Exploring Socioeconomic Risk Factors

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Public Health
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Esophageal foreign body ingestion is a common pediatric emergency.
• Button battery ingestions pose unique risks due to corrosive injury.
• Understanding demographic and socioeconomic factors is crucial for prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate demographic and social determinants of health in pediatric esophageal foreign body removals.
• To specifically analyze risk factors associated with button battery ingestions.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients undergoing esophageal foreign body removal (CPTs 43215, 43194).
• Data collected from four hospitals (November 2010 - December 2023).
• Analysis included demographics, social determinants of health, and linkage to socioeconomic indicators via the AHRQ database.

Main Results:

• Out of 825 cases, 50 involved button batteries.
• Button battery ingestions were more prevalent in males and associated with higher median incomes, lower poverty rates, higher home values, and greater internet access.
• The incidence of button battery ingestion increased over the study period.

Conclusions:

• Significant demographic and socioeconomic disparities exist between button battery and other esophageal foreign body ingestions.
• Male gender and higher socioeconomic status are identified as risk factors for button battery ingestion.
• Findings underscore the necessity for targeted educational and preventive measures for button battery ingestion.