Pediatric Cylindrical Battery Ingestion

Abstract

Background and Aims: Accidental ingestion of batteries is well documented in pediatric medical literature, but very few data exist in pediatric medical literature on the ingestions of cylindrical batteries (CBs). The aim of our study was to evaluate the features, clinical presentation and clinical outcome of children having ingested CBs. Methods: All children admitted for CB ingestion were retrospectively recruited. Clinical data until hospital discharge were accurately recorded, including child’s age and sex, ingestion modalities, signs and symptoms following the ingestion, type of CB, results of the neck-chest-abdominal X-ray performed to assess the retention site of CB, outcome of endoscopic removal, whether performed. Results: 45 children (males/females: 26/19; age range: 7-168 months; mean age ± standard deviation: 42 ± 33.9 months) were enrolled. Out of them, 15/45 (33.3%) had ingested AA batteries whereas 30/45 (66.6%) AAA batteries. CBs were retained in the esophagus in 2/45 (4.4%) children, in the stomach in 19/45 (42.2%) children and in the duodenum or beyond in the remaining 24/45 (53.3%) children. None of the patients who underwent endoscopic removal (12/45) had any esophageal nor gastric mucosal lesions. No cases of intestinal perforation nor surgical complications were reported. Conclusions: According to our study data, conservative management may be advised for the majority of CB ingestion. However, we acknowledge that CB should be timely removed whenever are A23 or A27 type, damaged prior to ingestion, in case of multiple ingestion, whenever protractedly retained in the stomach or whenever the child complains for any clinical signs or symptoms or had undergone prior abdominal surgery.