Alarming Rise in Major Complications from Button Battery Ingestions

Ingestion of large button batteries, particularly lithium cells, accounts for the increase in poor outcomes.

To describe recent trends in button battery ingestions, investigators collected data from the National Poison Data System (NPDS; 56,535 cases reported during 1985–2009), the National Battery Ingestion Hotline (NBIH; 8161 cases during 1990–2008), and all 73 major (life-threatening or disabling) and 13 fatal cases ever reported in the medical literature or to the NBIH.

NPDS data showed no consistent trend in annual frequency of button battery ingestions. However, the proportion of major or fatal cases increased 6.7-fold between the first 3 years (1985–1987) and last 3 years (2007–2009). Children younger than 6 years accounted for 68% of NPDS cases and 62% of NBIH cases; all NBIH fatalities and 85% of major cases were in patients younger than 4…

Reviewing Author

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)