A 3-Year-Old Nearly Died After Swallowing a Common Household Object

What started as an ordinary afternoon quickly turned into a nightmare no parent ever expects.

A 3-year-old child was rushed to the emergency room after suddenly becoming lethargic, vomiting repeatedly, and refusing to eat. At first, the symptoms looked like a stomach bug. But within hours, the child’s condition worsened, and doctors knew something was terribly wrong.

An emergency X-ray revealed the shocking truth.

The X-Ray That Changed Everything

The image showed a round, metallic object lodged deep inside the child’s body. It wasn’t food. It wasn’t a toy part.

It was a button battery.

Doctors immediately recognized the danger. Unlike coins or small plastic objects, button batteries are medical emergencies. Once swallowed, they can begin causing severe internal damage in as little as two hours.

---

Why Button Batteries Are So Dangerous

Many parents assume that if a child swallows something small and round, it will “pass naturally.” Unfortunately, button batteries behave very differently.

When a button battery comes into contact with bodily fluids, it creates an electrical current. This current can:

• Burn through tissue

• Cause internal bleeding

• Create holes in the esophagus or stomach

• Lead to life-threatening infections

In severe cases, children have died even after the battery was removed, due to delayed internal damage.

---

Doctors Acted Immediately

The medical team moved fast. The child was taken into emergency surgery to remove the battery before it caused further harm.

Doctors later explained that the battery had already begun damaging surrounding tissue, despite being inside the body for only a short time.

When the mother heard what had been found, she broke down in tears.

She had no idea that such a small object — one she had seen dozens of times at home — could nearly cost her child’s life.

---

Where Do These Batteries Come From?

Button batteries are everywhere. They power:

• Remote controls

• Watches

• Hearing aids

• Toys

• Musical greeting cards

• Key fobs

• Thermometers

Many devices have poorly secured battery compartments, making it easy for curious children to access them.

To a toddler, a button battery can look like candy or a coin.

---

Warning Signs Parents Should Never Ignore

In many cases, parents do not see the child swallow the battery. The symptoms can be confusing and easy to dismiss.

Seek emergency care immediately if a child shows any of the following signs:

• Sudden drooling

• Vomiting without explanation

• Chest or abdominal pain

• Refusal to eat or drink

• Coughing or gagging

• Unusual fussiness or lethargy

Do not wait for symptoms to “pass.” Time is critical.

---

What To Do If You Suspect Battery Ingestion

If you believe a child may have swallowed a button battery:

1. Go to the emergency room immediately

2. Do NOT induce vomiting

3. Do NOT give food or drink unless instructed by a doctor

4. If advised by medical professionals, honey may be given in specific cases, but only under guidance

Every minute matters.