Three Children Hospitalized at Sheba After Swallowing Dangerous Button Batteries

In recent weeks, three children were admitted to the Safra Children's Hospital at the Sheba Medical Center after swallowing lithium button batteries, which became lodged in their esophagi and caused severe internal injuries. Hospital officials state that a sequence of three such cases within a short timeframe is highly unusual, warning that once a battery is trapped in the esophagus, catastrophic damage can occur within minutes.

Severe Complications in a Three-Year-Old

One of the three children, a 3-year-old boy, arrived at the hospital after the battery had already caused exceptionally severe damage, creating a perforation in his esophagus that formed an abnormal connection (fistula) to his airway.

Dr. Ori Medger, an ENT specialist at Sheba Medical Center, described the severity of the case:

"This was a highly significant injury. The child underwent prolonged hospitalization and multiple complex surgeries to reconstruct both his airway and his esophagus. For several weeks, he could not eat by mouth and breathed through a surgical opening in his neck."

According to Dr. Ori Medger, following extensive treatment, the child's condition has improved. He is now eating by mouth, speaking, and breathing without the need for a feeding tube, though he remains under close medical surveillance.

"Fortunately, we managed to overcome the obstacles in this case, but that is not always possible. In rare instances, esophageal damage can breach major blood vessels in the chest or neck, causing life-threatening hemorrhages. Furthermore, even after the acute phase passes, scarring and strictures can develop in the esophagus, which is why we monitor these children long-term."

Additional Pediatric Admissions

The most recent case occurred earlier this week when a 9-year-old boy was rushed to Sheba after swallowing a lithium battery that became stuck in his esophagus. The battery was successfully extracted, and the child was sedated and placed on a ventilator.

"Fortunately, we do not currently see evidence of a perforation in the esophagus, but that does not mean the danger has passed," Dr. Ori Medger noted. "Such complications can manifest several days after the event, and scarring can develop later. For us, even three days after removing the battery, we are still in the critical window of the incident."

The third case involved a six-month-old infant who required emergency surgery after swallowing a lithium button battery.

In all three cases, the batteries were extracted via endoscopic procedures under general anesthesia. Doctors emphasize that the longer a battery remains in the esophagus, the higher the risk of severe, irreversible damage. Therefore, if ingestion is suspected, parents must seek immediate medical attention without waiting for symptoms to appear.

The Chemical Burn Process

The danger of a lithium button battery is not merely that it acts as a foreign object blocking the esophagus. When the battery comes into contact with the moist mucosal lining of the esophagus, it completes an electrical circuit.

This process triggers an electrochemical reaction, causing severe chemical burns and tissue necrosis in the esophageal wall. Significant damage, including perforation, can occur within hours or even minutes, making time the most critical factor.

Prevention and Emergency Guidelines

Dr. Ori Medger stresses that prevention is the most effective tool:

• Ensure battery compartments on toys, remote controls, and household scales are securely closed, preferably secured with a screw.

• Opt for batteries manufactured with safety features, such as bitter coatings to deter children from putting them in their mouths, or specialized coatings designed to reduce chemical damage upon contact with saliva.

If a child is suspected of swallowing a button battery, immediate emergency medical care is required. For children over the age of one, administering honey on the way to the hospital can help coat the esophagus and mitigate mucosal damage, according to clinical studies. However, giving honey must never delay transport to the emergency room.