Button batteries

Definition

Button batteries are tiny, round batteries usually used to power watches and hearing aids. Children often accidentally swallow these batteries or put up them up their nose, where the battery can be further inhaled (breathed in). 

Where Found

• Cameras
• Hearing aids
• Watches
• Calculators
• Penlights

Symptoms

If a person puts the battery up their nose and breathes it further in, the following symptoms may occur:

• Cough
• Breathing problems
• Possible complete respiratory failure
• Pneumonia (if the battery goes unnoticed) 

A swallowed battery may cause no symptoms at all, but if it becomes stuck in the esophagus or stomach, the following symptoms may occur:

• Chest pain
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting (possibly bloody)
• Hole in the esophagus  
• Cardiovascular collapse

Home Treatment

DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional. Seek immediate medical help.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

What to expect at the emergency room

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed.

• If the battery has been breathed in and is causing a life-threatening airway blockage, direct laryngoscopy  or immediate surgery will be needed.
• If the battery has been breathed into the lungs, it will be removed immediately with bronchoscopy.
• An x-ray will be taken to locate the battery.
• If the battery is swallowed and still in the esophague or stomach, an endoscopy will be done to remove it.
• If the battery has passed through the stomach into the small intestine, the usual treatment is to check another x-ray in 1 to 2 days to make sure the battery is moving along the GI tract. The battery should then be followed by x-rays until it passes in the stool. If any symptoms develop, it may mean that the battery has moved back up into the stomach and will have to be removed with an endoscope.

Expectations (prognosis)

How well a patient does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment was received. The faster a patient gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Most swallowed batteries, however, do pass through the gastrointestinal tract without causing any serious damage.