News from Grand River Health

Coins are the most common foreign body that pediatric patients swallow. Bring your child to the Emergency Department right away if you suspect any type of foreign body ingestion. Most coins or batteries pass harmlessly through the stomach. However, button battery ingestion is more serious. These coin-shaped batteries cause alkaline corrosion and erosion of the esophagus when swallowed. This can burn or perforate the lining of the esophagus. The battery contents can also leak into the mucosa causing damage.

If you witness your child ingest a button battery, give 1-2 tsp of honey as soon as possible after the ingestion. This may neutralize the burn injury. If you are unsure of the timing of the ingestion avoid giving honey. Do not give your child honey if they are less than 1 year old or have a honey allergy. This is not definitive treatment, the battery still needs to be removed. Do not delay, go to the nearest ER!