SEVERE COMPLICATIONS OF BUTTON BATTERY INGESTION IN CHILDREN.
Button battery (BB) ingestion has emerged as a global health concern, particularly among children.
To investigate the clinical outcomes and complications related to BB ingestion among pediatric patients managed at a referral center.
A case series study was conducted between March 2016 and December 2023, including patients under 14 years old diagnosed with BB ingestion. Clinical and radiological evaluations were performed, followed by endoscopic assessment and treatment when required. Data collected included clinical presentation, endoscopic findings, complications, and outcomes.
A total of 568 cases of foreign body ingestion were initially reviewed, from which only 16 pediatric patients with confirmed BB ingestion were identified between 2016 and 2023. No cases were documented between 2016 and 2018; however, a substantial increase was observed from 2019 through 2022, with a pronounced surge during 2020-2021 that coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic (P=0.011). Patient ages ranged from 3 months to 5 years, with a median of 3.22 years (1.62-4.55). Endoscopic retrieval was required in seven children (n=7, 43.7%), whereas nine did not undergo endoscopic intervention owing to the extraesophageal location of the BB. Complications were documented in seven patients, including ulceration (n=6; 37.5%), fistulas (n=3, 18.7%), and stenosis (n=3, 18.7%).
This study highlights the significant risks of severe complications associated with BB ingestion, even in very young children. A significant increase in severe cases referred to our center during the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of awareness, prevention, and timely medical intervention.
To investigate the clinical outcomes and complications related to BB ingestion among pediatric patients managed at a referral center.
A case series study was conducted between March 2016 and December 2023, including patients under 14 years old diagnosed with BB ingestion. Clinical and radiological evaluations were performed, followed by endoscopic assessment and treatment when required. Data collected included clinical presentation, endoscopic findings, complications, and outcomes.
A total of 568 cases of foreign body ingestion were initially reviewed, from which only 16 pediatric patients with confirmed BB ingestion were identified between 2016 and 2023. No cases were documented between 2016 and 2018; however, a substantial increase was observed from 2019 through 2022, with a pronounced surge during 2020-2021 that coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic (P=0.011). Patient ages ranged from 3 months to 5 years, with a median of 3.22 years (1.62-4.55). Endoscopic retrieval was required in seven children (n=7, 43.7%), whereas nine did not undergo endoscopic intervention owing to the extraesophageal location of the BB. Complications were documented in seven patients, including ulceration (n=6; 37.5%), fistulas (n=3, 18.7%), and stenosis (n=3, 18.7%).
This study highlights the significant risks of severe complications associated with BB ingestion, even in very young children. A significant increase in severe cases referred to our center during the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of awareness, prevention, and timely medical intervention.
Authors
Maróstica Maróstica, Jordão Jordão, Lomazi Lomazi, Silva Silva, Fraga Fraga, Bellomo-Brandão Bellomo-Brandão
View on Pubmed