Great Ormond Street warns over battery risk to toddlers

London's Great Ormond Street Hospital has warned over an increasing number of admissions young children swallowing button batteries.

Surgeons cautioned that if accidentally swallowed, the round batteries can get lodged in the oesophagus and burn a whole through the lining, causing irreparable damage to the throat.

The Hospital outlined that ten years ago, it rarely saw cases of swallowed button battery injuries, but is now seeing such cases at least once a month.

Kate Cross, consultant neonatal and paediatric surgeon said: "If the battery gets enveloped in the mucosa of the oesophagus it creates an electrical circuit and the battery starts to function, releasing an alkali which is like caustic soda, which can erode through the wall to the windpipe.

"If the battery is facing a different way it can burn into the aorta, a major blood vessel, and there have been cases in Britain where the child has bled to death.

"That is why it is important to get the message out to parents but also other health professionals because this is a time critical problem."

Katrina Phillips, chief executive of the Child Accident Prevention Trust, said: "Button batteries are everywhere in our homes, in many products that appeal to children.

"But very few parents know about the danger they pose, especially those containing lithium.

"We want to join forces with the battery industry to raise awareness and help keep children safe."