Doctors warn parents about the dangers of ‘deadly’ button batteries

Great Ormond Street doctors have issued a warning to parents about button batteries, explaining that they have seen a worrying increase of young children swallowing the tiny batteries – subsequently causing internal damage or even bleeding to death.

Surgeon Kate Cross, told the BBC that the batteries should be treated ‘like poison’ and everyone should be aware of the risks, keeping them out of reach from children.

“If the battery gets enveloped in the mucosa of the oesophagus it creates an electrical circuit and the battery starts to function, releasing an alkali which is like caustic soda, which can erode through the wall to the windpipe,' she explained.

“If the battery is facing a different way it can burn into the aorta, a major blood vessel, and there have been cases in Britain where the child has bled to death.

“That is why it is important to get the message out to parents but also other health professionals because this is a time critical problem.”

What are button batteries?

Button batteries, often smaller than a 10 pence piece, are small, round batteries that look similar to buttons. They are found in in many household object and toys. Although people are aware that button batteries should be kept away from little ones, many are unaware of the deadly dangers.

Where are button batteries found?

Three-year-old Valeria, from Northern Ireland, is one of many children that have been left with permanent damage to their throat after she swallowed a watch battery in April 2015.

It was not until five days later that an X-ray revealed that Valeria had swallowed a button battery, burning a hole through her oesophagus and windpipe – leaving her with lasting damage.

She spent nine months at Great Ormond Street Hospital where she received specialist treatment and still needs check-ups ever few weeks.

Her mother Jelena told the BBC: "Because she now can't eat or drink properly, the doctors have made a hole in her neck and attached a bag so that all her saliva and anything she drinks goes straight in to it.

"Without this, water would go in to her lungs, which would be very dangerous. She also has a special button on her tummy that liquid food goes through.

"In many ways Valeria is now a normal three-year-old who likes Play-Doh and playing doctors, but she still needs a lot more operations to help her recover."

Staff and parent at children’s wards across the country are trying to raise awareness of the dangers of the batteries, usually found everywhere in our home. They are also found in a great number of children’s learning toys.

Katrina Phillips, Chief Executive of the Child Accident Prevention Trust, said: "Button batteries are everywhere in homes, in many products that appeal to children.

"But very few parents know about the danger they pose, especially those containing lithium.

"We want to join forces with the battery industry to raise awareness and help keep children safe."

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