Opportunity to eliminate preventable harm: Industry must adopt a new safe button or coin cell battery technology that will not cause severe injury inside the body
A button or coin cell battery can cause life-threatening tissue injuries of the esophagus, trachea, or major vasculature. A safe button or coin cell battery should be clearly defined—it will not cause severe tissue injury when lodged in the body but will still adequately function to power electronic devices. Currently, no battery manufacturer sells a safe button or coin cell battery, nor has made the public commitment to produce them. As too many children have already been harmed and other children continue to remain at risk in their households, we strongly encourage all battery manufacturers to act immediately to bring a safe button or coin cell battery to the consumer marketplace. Widespread industry and consumer adoption of such technology will prevent children from severe injuries or death.
References
Current management of button battery injuries.
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Philteos J, James AL, Propst EJ, Ostrow O, McKinnon N, Everett T, Wolter NE. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022 Jul 1;148(7):677-683. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2022.0848. PMID: 35616924
Vascular Complications in Children Following Button Battery Ingestions: A Systematic Review.
Akinkugbe O, James AL, Ostrow O, Everett T, Wolter NE, McKinnon NK. Pediatrics. 2022 Sep 1;150(3):e2022057477. doi: 10.1542/peds.2022-057477. PMID: 36032017
Pediatric Battery-Related Emergency Department Visits in the United States: 2010-2019.
Chandler MD, Ilyas K, Jatana KR, Smith GA, McKenzie LB, MacKay JM. Pediatrics. 2022 Sep 1;150(3):e2022056709. doi: 10.1542/peds.2022-056709. PMID: 36032018.
Endorsed by American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS)
Endorsed by American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO)
Endorsed by American Bronchoesophagological Association (ABEA)
Endorsed by North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition (NASPGHAN)
Endorsed by Global Injury Research Collaborative (GIRC)
Endorsed by Society for Ear, Nose, and Throat Advancement in Children (SENTAC)
