Battery ingestion has been on the rise in the recent years, primarily 
due to the increased accessibility to the miniaturized electronic devices and toys to children, who are the frequent casualties. The type of battery that is usually ingested or inhaled is button batteries. These button batteries are tiny, round batteries that are commonly found in calculators, watches, cameras, hearing aids and penlights. They typically contain heavy metals such as lithium, zinc, mercury, silver, nickel and cadmium.
Unknown to many that ingestion of battery may cause extensive damage to the digestive tract due to its electrochemical composition. The injuries brought about by ingesting battery are from alkali leakage, local electrical currents and direct pressure necrosis. Treatment is absolutely essential and needed immediately. Although most cases are harmless, if one is exposed to battery, call for emergency medical services.
Causes of Battery Ingestion
Disk batteries may be ingested either accidental or intentional.
- Accidental
- Holding the battery in the mouth while changing the battery
- Mistaking it for medication pills
- Intentional
- Children deliberately swallowing out of curiosity
- Suicide (rare)
Symptoms of Battery Ingestion
Signs and symptoms of battery ingestion are dependent on the size of the battery, battery content, duration of impact and peristaltic waves of the esophagus. Some of the possible symptoms include:
- Metallic taste
- Nausea
- Gagging (retching)
- Vomiting, may contain blood*
- Abdominal pain*
- Gastroenteritis
- Hole in the esophagus
- Chest pain
- Dark or bloody stools*
- Low-grade fever*
- Cardiovascular collapse (shock)
- If one inhales the battery, symptoms may include:
- Breathing problems
- Cough
- May develop to pneumonia if disregarded
- In severe cases, complete respiratory failure
*If any of the following symptoms are observed, seek medical treatment right away.
First Aid Management for Battery Ingestion
Seek emergency medical services as soon as possible, whether the battery is ingested or inhaled. Poison control centers may also be called. Injury can occur in one hour but may full-thickness burns may occur in four hours.
- Do not induce vomiting at all times unless advised by the dispatcher or the poison center.
- Do not giving anything by mouth. The person should not be allowed to eat or drink until x-ray is done. Most cases will require an x-ray immediately.
- If possible, and won’t cause a delay, bring a sample of the battery ingested.
- If the battery is still in the esophagus, an endoscope will be used to remove the battery.
- If the battery is still in the stomach, medical treatment may not be required.
Administering first aid in all cases of ingestion or inhalation of battery is necessary to avoid any possible complications. Register in first aid training to learn how to give proper first aid for cases of battery ingestion and ingestion of other foreign objects to minimize risk for injuries.