I am writing to share what happened to our family last Christmas in the hope it might prevent others going through the same.
Our two-year-old granddaughter, Emily, swallowed one of my husband’s hearing aid batteries after he changed them, just before lunch. He left the old ones on the arm of his chair.
Emily ended up spending Christmas and Boxing Day in hospital. She was fine, but I had no idea how common this is, or how serious it could have been. Please spread the word.
I’m glad Emily was OK. I don’t have recent figures for the UK, but 3,500 children are seen every year in US hospitals after swallowing button batteries. The Child Accident Prevention Trust says at least two children die each year in the UK after ingesting them.
Most will travel through a child without causing problems but occasionally they can burn the gut wall – particularly the oesophagus (gullet) – leading to serious complications including bleeding and a perforated bowel.
So please be careful with these batteries, particularly old ones you put aside for recycling. Always put them back in the original packaging or cover them on both sides with non-conductive tape and store somewhere safe. Smaller hearing aid batteries are the number one culprit (36% of cases in one study), followed by larger coin-sized types found in key fobs, calculators and toys.
And if a child – or adult – swallows one, or you even think they might have, take them straight to the nearest A&E department. And don’t delay, as complications can develop within a few hours. The same advice applies if they push the battery up their nose, ear, or anywhere else for that matter.
I hope Grandad was forgiven.
With 26 years experience in practice and a partner in a busy South Gloucestershire surgery, Dr Mark is also resident doctor on BBC One's The One Show, presents Radio 4's Inside Health, writes for The Times, and has popped up on celebrity versions of The Weakest Link and Mastermind.
Dr Mark was awarded an MBE in 2005 for services to medicine.
Every issue of Saga Magazine is packed with inspirational real-life stories, exclusive celebrity interviews, brain-teasing puzzles and travel inspiration. Plus, expert advice on everything from health and finance to home improvements, to help you enjoy life to the full.
Facial weakness, a sudden headache and dizziness can all be signs of a stroke, we've got the facts from an expert.
Knee pain is more common as we age: to help we've got the best advice from 3 leading experts with easy ways to make a difference.
Do you know the symptoms of a heart attack? Here’s what to look out for, and how to prevent one.
Front, back or side? Which sleeping position is best for you as you get older, and which ones you should avoid