An urgent warning has been issued about the dangers of button batteries following a spike in seriously injured children treated at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Already this year, two children have been taken to the hospital requiring emergency oesophageal surgery and multiple follow-up surgeries to treat complications from swallowing button batteries.

That compares to two children in total for the whole of 2023 and three children for all of last year.

Across Australia, 20 children will go to hospital every week with a suspected button battery ingestion, with cases more common during gift giving periods like Christmas and Easter.

Button batteries are extremely dangerous for children, causing quick, serious and life-threatening burns if swallowed or inserted into the body. Experts warn that once swallowed, a battery can burn through a child’s oesophagus in less than two hours.

Children can also develop life-threatening bleeding, as well as infections, sepsis and injuries to critical parts of their chest.

Some children require admission into the paediatric intensive care unit and may even be placed on life support to help treat complications. Long term, injuries from button battery ingestions can prevent some children from eating normally ever again.

Children under the age of four are at the highest risk of death, while the peak age for ingestion is children between the ages of one and two.

Dr Sonja Latzel is Women’s and Children’s Health Network Divisional Medical Director of Surgery. 

“Button batteries should be stored like any other poison – securely out of the reach of children.

“We are currently seeing a concerning rise in button battery ingestions, with clinicians having to perform incredibly invasive surgeries to save lives. 

“We don’t want to see another death in Australia. If you suspect your child may have swallowed a battery, please don’t wait – quick action is critical. 

“Urgent advice can be provided by the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 16.”

Doctors warn that ingestions are not always witnessed and that symptoms often appear vague, delaying diagnosis and treatment.

Look out for symptoms like chest pain, coughing, vomiting, trouble swallowing, food refusal and abdominal pain. However, experts warn that sometimes there may be no symptoms at all.

Don’t wait for symptoms to develop before seeking help. Children should not be given food or drink, and parents should not try to induce vomiting.

Button batteries are still found in many household items, including watches, remotes, calculators, thermometers and musical cards.

Items containing batteries should be kept out of reach of children and old batteries should be disposed of immediately and safely.

For further information on button batteries, visit the SA Health website.