Boy, 4, Swallows Button Battery; Doctors Warn Against Home Remedies

A 4-year-old boy accidentally swallowed a button battery from a remote control while adults were distracted. His grandmother attempted to use a folk remedy by giving him sesame oil to induce vomiting, but doctors warn that inducing vomiting is dangerous because it can cause the battery to move around and severely damage the esophagus, with risk of aspiration into the airway.

The incident occurred over the weekend when the boy's mother, Xiaoming, called a friend in panic after her son removed the battery from the remote and swallowed it. The grandmother immediately suggested giving the child sesame oil to make him vomit, but Xiaoming stopped her after recalling information from a pediatrician online warning that parents should not induce vomiting or attempt to remove objects from the throat, as this can worsen the situation.

Doctors have reported cases where children who were induced to vomit at home suffered severe burns to the esophagus requiring ICU admission. Another 2-year-old experienced severe injury when the battery corroded through the body, damaging vital organs including the heart, liver, and kidneys, ultimately causing respiratory failure and death.

Physicians explain that button batteries contain alkaline chemicals. When the battery contacts saliva, water, or oil in the esophagus, an electrochemical reaction begins producing corrosive alkaline substances that destroy surrounding tissue continuously. Severe cases can cause esophageal perforation within just 1 to 2 hours.

Doctors warn that attempting to induce vomiting causes the child to cry and struggle, making the battery scrape against the esophageal wall and worsening injuries. Inducing vomiting also increases the risk of the battery entering the airway, blocking the breathing passage and endangering life. Giving sesame oil does not help and wastes critical time needed to rush the child to hospital.

Doctors also caution against other folk remedies like drinking vinegar to soften the battery or eating kohlrabi to wrap around and expel it—these beliefs are dangerous and should never be used.

After stopping her mother-in-law, Xiaoming took two correct actions: she brought the remaining battery and its packaging in a plastic bag to the hospital, and immediately took the child to the nearest emergency room without giving him any food or water.

At the hospital, doctors performed an X-ray and found the battery lodged in the upper part of the esophagus. Because the child received prompt treatment, doctors used an endoscope to remove the battery quickly, though a small burn was found in the esophagus.