Button-battery ingestion--a hazard of modern living

Disc batteries are ingested by children with ever-increasing frequency as they become more widely available for a multitude of small electronic devices in the home. Because of their unique properties their ingestion cannot be managed in quite the same expectant way as most other foreign bodies swallowed. Experience with 13 cases is briefly recorded, the literature is reviewed, and based on our findings a plan of management is suggested. The potential hazards of button-battery ingestion should be publicized, and prevention encouraged by parental education, manufacturer's packaging and safe disposal of used batteries.