14/10/2014

Leading Consultant Issues Warning Over Lithium Batteries

A leading Greater Manchester Paediatric Intensive Care Transport Service consultant has issued a warning of the dangers posed to children by lithium batteries.

It is understood two children have died after swallowing the small circular batteries, with another five in the last 18 months suffering "life-changing injuries".

Dr Kate Parkins, warned that the batteries, commonly found in toys and smartphones, may look innocent, however they can cause severe internal bleeding that medics struggle to treat.

According to Dr Parkins a child died in May, a week after one of the batteries, which had become lodged in the childs throat, was removed. Despite being removed she says the battery caused "catastrophic bleeding which we couldn't control."

It is understood the battery does not have to be damaged or chewed when it is ingested, because the battery itself "sets up an electrical current which causes a build-up of sodium hydroxide which is caustic soda.

"That causes a burn through the oesophagus, the feeding tube, and that can then burn through into major blood vessels and that's why the bleeding is then pretty much impossible to control and stop."

(MH/CD)

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