New study finds battery-related injuries in children more than doubled in recent decade

Pediatric battery-related emergency division (ED) visits have elevated significantly within the final decade, significantly amongst youngsters 5 years outdated and below, in keeping with a brand new research printed immediately in Pediatrics by a workforce of researchers from Secure Youngsters Worldwide and Nationwide Kids’s Hospital.

This research, which analyzed information from 2010 by way of 2019, revealed that each 75 minutes in the US a toddler below 18 years of age visited an ED for a battery-related harm—greater than twice the frequency reported in a earlier research information from 1990 by way of 2009 (1 go to each 160 minutes). Amongst instances the place battery sort was identified, button batteries have been most steadily concerned (85%).

The research additionally discovered that 84% of sufferers have been 5 years outdated or youthful and that accidents could also be growing in severity. Twelve % of battery exposures seen in EDs resulted in fast want for hospitalization, up from 7% for 1990 by way of 2009.

“Sadly, previous prevention efforts have but to result in considerably decreased harm charges,” mentioned Mark Chandler, MPH, lead writer of the research, and Senior Analysis Affiliate with Secure Youngsters Worldwide. “Each regulatory efforts and elevated public consciousness of the hazards are wanted. Till safe battery compartment designs and finally a safer button battery expertise are broadly adopted by business, these accidents in youngsters will proceed.”

Button batteries are used to energy an growing variety of small electronics discovered within the house immediately, together with toys, watches, listening to aids, distant controls, and flashlights. These batteries can usually be simply faraway from such units and due to this fact pose a danger to younger youngsters who’re liable to putting international objects of their ears, nostril, and mouth.

“Button batteries stay a critical hazard within the house that may trigger extreme, and even life-threatening, harm if swallowed by a toddler,” mentioned Gary A. Smith, MD, DrPH, co-author and Director of the Middle for Damage Analysis and Coverage at Nationwide Kids’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Ingested batteries pose a critical danger of burning by way of a toddler’s esophagus, resulting in devastating harm and even demise. Within the present research, ingestions accounted for 90% of battery-related ED visits, up from 77% for 1990 by way of 2009.

“The clock is ticking from the second a button battery will get lodged within the esophagus and critical harm can happen in as little as two hours. Many ingestion occasions are unwitnessed, so making an early analysis is sort of difficult,” mentioned co-author Dr. Kris Jatana, Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgical procedure and Director of Scientific Outcomes for the Surgical Providers at Nationwide Kids’s Hospital. “It can be crucial that medical professionals are conscious of the newest esophageal harm mitigation methods earlier than and after elimination.”

The Shopper Product Security Fee (CPSC) accredited modifications to the toy security customary (ASTM F963-17) in 2017 to require that toys powered by button batteries have warning labels and directions concerning the dangers, however the usual doesn’t cowl different varieties of button battery-powered merchandise. Reese’s Legislation, signed in August 2022 with bipartisan help, would require the CPSC to develop child-resistant testing requirements for battery compartments of button battery-powered units. The legislation will even require such units to characteristic labels that clearly talk the chance of ingestion amongst younger youngsters.

“Too many youngsters are taken away too quickly from a button battery ingestion harm,” mentioned Trista Hamsmith, Reese’s mom. “By Reese’s Legislation, we’re one step nearer to defending youngsters and households from these hidden risks within the house.”

Security advocates encourage dad and mom and caregivers to assist scale back battery-related accidents by utilizing and sharing the next suggestions:

• Hold button battery-controlled units out of sight and attain of kids. Whereas essential for all ages, that is particularly essential for youths ages 5 and below. These units embody distant controls, musical greeting playing cards, digital scales, watches, listening to aids, thermometers, some youngsters’s toys, calculators, key fobs, tea-light candles, and flashing vacation jewellery or decorations, all of which regularly comprise button batteries.
• Hold all batteries locked away, out of sight and attain of kids.
• Study merchandise and ensure the compartment that homes the button battery is safe, comparable to being closed with a screw, in order that it’s troublesome for a kid to entry the battery. If the product is broken or the button battery compartment can’t be secured, cease utilizing the product and hold it away from youngsters.
• For those who suspect your little one has ingested a battery:

• In case your little one is over 12 months of age, give two teaspoons of honey each 10 minutes (if instantly accessible and no allergy) and go straight to the ED.
• If below 12 months of age, do NOT give any honey and go instantly to ED.
• Don’t induce vomiting or have your little one eat or drink the rest.
• Name the Nationwide Battery Ingestion Hotline (800-498-8666) 24/7 for added info.