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Accidental poisoning of children by small batteries has increased, study says

A growing number of children are swallowing tiny lithium batteries, also known as “button” batteries, which power many of our consumer devices, with potentially serious consequences, even death, according to a new report.

Despite public information campaigns warning parents of the dangers, visits to emergency rooms as a result of battery poisoning were twice as high from 2010 to 2019 compared to 1990 to 2009, according to the study published Monday ( 29) in the magazine Pediatrics.

That’s an average of one battery-related emergency visit every 1.25 hours among children under the age of 18, according to the report. Children under age 5 were most at risk, the report noted, especially children ages 1 to 2, who typically put things they find in their mouths.

Even after removing the device, lithium button batteries still have a strong current.

When batteries get stuck in a child’s throat, saliva can interact with the device’s current, which causes “a chemical reaction that can severely burn the esophagus in less than two hours, creating an esophageal perforation, vocal cord paralysis, or even erosion of the airways (trachea) or major blood vessels,” warned Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, USA.

That’s what happened in 2010 when Emmett Rauch, who was 1 year old at the time, swallowed a button battery that had fallen off a DVD player’s remote, according to his parents, Karla and Michael Rauch.

“The battery literally burned a hole through his esophagus into his windpipe (airway), allowing bile from his stomach to flow back into his lungs,” the couple shared on Emmett’s Fight Foundation, the website of a non-profit foundation they created. to educate other parents about the dangers of button batteries.

The drums also burned Emmett’s vocal cord nerves, the Raunchs said. To deal with complications from his injuries, Emmett underwent six surgeries in five years, including replacing his entire esophagus using a portion of his intestine.

“As a mother, I look back on the morning we noticed Emmett’s illness every day in my mind. How did I not know? If I only paid attention to what kind of batteries the remotes needed!” Karla Rauch wrote in a blog for Children’s Hospital Cincinnati, USA.

Small batteries are everywhere

Button batteries are in every modern home, including some places you might not even think about, like animated or flashing ornaments, reading lights, and musical cards.

Other common items that contain lithium batteries are calculators, digital thermometers, flameless candles, flashing jewelry, portable games and toys, hearing aids, laser pointers, balls of light, flashlights, mini remote controls, step counters and athletic trackers, books which contains audios and, of course, car keys and smart watches, according to the US National Center for Poison Control.

The new study analyzed data from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, which tracks emergency room visits at more than 100 hospitals across the country.

The analysis found that battery ingestion accounted for the majority (90%) of these battery-related ER visits, followed by placement of batteries in the nose (5.7%), in the ears (2.5%) and mouth, without swallowing them (1.8%).

While not as serious as ingestion, lithium batteries stuck in an ear or nose can cause significant injuries, such as a perforated nasal septum or eardrum, hearing loss, or facial nerve paralysis, according to the report.

What should parents do?

Prevention is key. Do not insert or change batteries in front of young children – shiny objects are attractive to them. Get rid of expired batteries immediately and safely and store replacement batteries out of the reach of children, experts recommend.

“Try to choose products with battery compartments that only open with a screwdriver or special tool, or that have a child-safe closure. At a minimum, use strong duct tape to keep the compartment tightly sealed against small hands,” advised Connecticut Children’s Hospital.

Be especially wary of penny-sized batteries or larger, recommends the National Center for Poison Control.

“The 20mm diameter lithium cell is one of the most serious problems when ingested. These problem cells can be recognized by their imprint (engraved numbers and letters) and usually have one of these 3 codes: CR2032, CR2025, CR2016. If ingested and not removed immediately, these larger batteries can cause death — or burn a hole in your child’s esophagus,” the center noted.

Always supervise children who are playing with a toy or device that contains a button battery, and educate older children about the dangers so they can help.

What if you suspect your child has swallowed a drum set – or put one in his nose or ear?

The National Center for Poison Control advises calling 911 immediately: “Immediate action is critical. Do not wait for symptoms to develop,” the center advised.

Signs of ingestion may look like the child has swallowed a coin, so be careful, experts said. Typical behavior may include wheezing, drooling, coughing, vomiting, chest discomfort, refusing to eat, or gagging when trying to drink or eat. But for some kids, like Emmett Rauch, it can take days before symptoms are severe enough to notice.

“It is also important to know if a magnet was ingested along with the battery, as this could cause further injury. X-rays of the child’s entire neck, esophagus, and abdomen are typically needed,” according to Children’s Hospital of Texas.

If you suspect ingestion, do not make your child vomit, advises the Hospital.

Don’t give your child anything to eat or drink until an x-ray shows the battery has passed the esophagus, noted the National Center for Poison Control.

“Batteries stuck in the esophagus should be removed as soon as possible as serious damage can occur in as little as 2 hours. Batteries in the nose or ear should also be removed immediately to avoid permanent damage,” the Center advised.

Source: CNN Brasil

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