June 12 is International Button Battery Awareness Day, a global effort to raise awareness about the serious dangers of button battery ingestion in children.
Each year, more than 3,500 children suffer serious injuries from button battery ingestion around the world. These small batteries, found in many everyday household items, can cause life-threatening damage within hours if swallowed.
NASPGHAN is proud to join FISPGHAN in spreading awareness about this hidden danger. As pediatric gastroenterologists, NASPGHAN members understand how quickly button battery ingestion can become an emergency and the importance of prevention, recognition, and urgent management.
Button batteries lodged in the esophagus can conduct current and perforate the mucosa in less than 2 hours. If a child swallows a button battery, they should go to the emergency room immediately. If ingestion occurred within 12 hours, giving honey (for children over 1 year old) may help delay injury while heading to the hospital.
NASPGHAN has been a global leader in this life-saving initiative, helping educate clinicians, families, and the public. Members and families are encouraged to explore and share NASPGHAN resources, including:
- The NASPGHAN Bowel Sounds episode on button battery ingestion
- NASPGHAN’s 2020 updated guidance, developed in alignment with the American Academy of Pediatrics around the use of honey after button battery ingestion
- National Poison Control resources for urgent guidance in the U.S.
Pediatric GI clinicians with experience managing button battery ingestion are also encouraged to submit a report. Sharing clinical experience supports international efforts to prevent pediatric harm and strengthens FISPGHAN advocacy for improved safety regulations.
Help spread the word by downloading campaign materials and sharing this important message with your networks.
Together, we can save lives.
