Button battery and magnet ingestions in the pediatric patient

Abstract

Button battery and magnet ingestions have increased in incidence over the past two decades. Recent literature demonstrates that higher voltage, larger lithium button batteries, and prevalence of high-powered magnets can lead to significant morbidity. High suspicion, early referral, and removal may lead to improved outcomes.

A 3-Year-Old Male Presenting With Sore Throat and Torticollis

“…1 Patients at the highest risk for foreign body ingestion include preschoolers (both male and female), adolescent males, and children with mental health issues. 1,2 In addition, pediatric patients with disordered swallowing, developmental delays, or esophageal congenital defects have predispositions to foreign body aspiration. 3 Most ingested foreign bodies do not require medical attention.…”

“…However, those that become lodged in the esophagus, damage the mucosa, or cause caustic injury require medical intervention. 2,4 Younger patients and patients with significant gastrointestinal (GI) history such as a history of upper GI surgery, reflux or eosinophilic esophagitis, or congenital malformations are at a higher risk for these complications. 5 All patients presenting with concerns for foreign body ingestion should have their airway and breathing promptly evaluated.…”

Sudden onset dysphagia in a patient with dementia

“…If not removed promptly, they can lead to severe complications and death. Button batteries can be identified on X-rays due to the characteristic ‘halo sign’ 4. Oesophageal perforations were identified in 189 cases of fatal or severe battery ingestions with oesophageal lodgment (53 fatal, 136 severe; 95.2% in children ≤4 years) 5.…”

Management of button batteries in the upper gastrointestinal tract of children

“…[ 3 ] Over the past two decades, the prevalence and mortality of button battery ingestion have been on the rise with an extensive application of smaller, more technologically advanced toys in the household. [ 4 ] It was reported the prevalence of lithium battery ingestion increased from 1.3% to 24% of ingested button batteries between 1990 and 2008. [ 5 ]…”