A rising number of kids are swallowing button batteries and risk ‘bleeding to death’, docs warn
Small batteries can burn holes in internal organs if swallowed
TOP doctors have warned parents that button batteries can cause life-threatening injuries in less than four hours if swallowed, following an alarming increase in hospital admissions.
The batteries are a choking hazard and, if swallowed, can burn a hole in the lining of the oesophagus, which can result in patients bleeding to death.
The warning has been made after Great Ormond Street Hospital reported a 60 per cent increase in the number of youngsters admitted after swallowing the batteries.
The hospital said the many of the children admitted have suffered internal burns, that have left holes in their organs.
About one child a month is admitted to the London hospital, compared to one a year five-years-ago, and at least two children have died in Manchester as a result of swallowing the batteries.
Doctors are warning parents to treat the batteries with the same caution as medicines, bleaches and poisons.
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The batteries are found in devices including watches, remote controls and toys.
Kate Cross, Consultant Neonatal and Paediatric Surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said: “Button batteries are found in lots of domestic items that we all use every day and it’s easy to forget how powerful they are and how dangerous they can be.
“We can all help keep our families safer by storing batteries in secure places before and after they’re used, preventing more children and families having to go through the traumatic experience of these serious injuries.”
Warning signs that a child has swallowed a battery include excessive dribbling or trouble swallowing, vomiting, coughing, choking or unexplained chest infections.
In less than four hours, a swallowed button battery can cause life threatening injuries, so families are advised to take their child straight to A&E.
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