EP 46: When every second counts – button battery ingestion and dysphagia with Kris Jatana

Button batteries may be small, but their impact can be devastating. In this episode, we speak with Prof. Kris Jatana about the serious and often hidden dangers of button battery ingestion in children. Found in everyday household items, these small batteries can cause severe injuries to the esophagus and surrounding structures within hours of ingestion.

Kris explains what button batteries are, how they cause injury when swallowed, and why quick recognition and management are critical. We discuss the challenges in diagnosing unwitnessed ingestions, the steps parents and caregivers should take in an emergency, and current strategies for acute and long-term management.

Helpful resources:

• Global injury research collaborative (GIRC): www.globalirc.org
• Sethia et al. (2021). Current management of button battery injuries. https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.535