Button batteries
Key points
- Button batteries are small (less than one centimeter in diameter) batteries usually used to power wrist watches and small clocks.
- These batteries can potentially cause necrosis (breakdown) of tissues in the GI tract, depending on where they become lodged.
- Inhaled batteries may cause cough, respiratory distress, or even complete respiratory failure.
- If the material from open or leaking battery gets on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.
Definition
Button batteries are small (less than one centimeter in diameter) batteries usually used to power wrist watches and small clocks. Children often accidentally inhale or swallow them due to their size and availability.
Poisonous Ingredient
These batteries can potentially cause necrosis (breakdown) of tissues in the GI tract, depending on where they become lodged. The substance in the battery does not necessarily cause any systemic toxicity, but they can cause life-threatening perforations (holes) in the esophagus (food pipe).
Where Found
These small batteries can be found in:
- cameras
- hearing-aids
- watches
- calculators
- penlights
Symptoms
Inhaled batteries may cause cough, respiratory distress, or even complete respiratory failure. If the aspiration is undetected, it may manifest later as a pneumonia.
Swallowed batteries may cause no symptoms at all, but if they become lodged in the esophagus or stomach, they may cause chest pain, abdominal pain, vomiting, vomiting blood, severe cardiovascular collapse due to esophageal perforation, or death.
Home Treatment
Seek emergency medical care immediately. Do NOT induce vomiting. If the material from open or leaking battery gets on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. If swallowed, drink water or milk IMMEDIATELY. If the patient is vomiting, continue giving water or milk.
Before Calling Emergency
Determine the following information:
- the patient's age, weight, and condition
- the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
- the time it was swallowed
- the amount swallowed
Poison Control, or a local emergency number
See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.
What to expect at the emergency room
Some or all of the following procedures may be performed.
- If the battery has been inhaled and is causing life-threatening airway obstruction, it will either have to be removed in the ER by direct laryngoscopy, or removed immediately by surgery.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.