Small, shiny button batteries found in toys, remote controls, watches, hearing aids and other household devices may look harmless. But if swallowed by a child, they can become a life-threatening medical emergency. When a button battery becomes lodged in the oesophagus, severe tissue injury can develop in less than two hours, making prompt medical attention essential.
Tavishi Dogra is a Deputy Chief Content Producer, Health & Wellness, at Hindustan Times. She joined Hindustan Times to simplify wellness subjects by cutting through jargon. She has over 9 years of experience writing about fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, translating medical research and expert insights into practical advice readers can trust. Career journey and experience Tavishi began her health journalism journey in 2017, and has since reported for RSTV, Financial Express, Jagran, HT Media Labs and Zee.
Education and professional background Tavishi holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and began her career reporting on public affairs for broadcast. Editorial Philosophy I write with one single goal: To simplify health in a world full of noise by finding what’s actually doable, safe, and evidence-based for my readers. I test claims against research and user experiences. Button batteries are commonly found in everyday items such as TV remotes, toys, watches, car keys, calculators, musical greeting cards, thermometers, hearing aids and other small electronic gadgets. When the battery comes into contact with moist tissue, it can generate an electrical current. This leads to the formation of hydroxide ions and creates a highly alkaline environment around the battery. The resulting chemical injury can rapidly damage the oesophageal lining. Severe burns and perforation can occur in as little as two hours. The injury can extend to nearby structures and blood vessels. It may result in oesophageal perforation, severe bleeding, infection and other life-threatening complications. Importantly, tissue damage can continue even after the battery has been removed. Serious delayed complications, including injury to major blood vessels, may occur days or even weeks after significant oesophageal injury. However, some children may have few or no symptoms initially. Parents may also not witness the swallowing episode. Urgent X-rays are required to locate the battery and determine whether it is in the oesophagus. Imaging should cover the relevant areas from the neck through the chest and abdomen, as needed. If an oesophageal battery is suspected, appropriate frontal and lateral views can help confirm its position and orientation. If the battery is lodged in the oesophagus, it requires urgent endoscopic removal. An oesophageal button battery is an endoscopic emergency, even if the child has no symptoms. Severe damage can occur rapidly, with serious burns developing in as little as two hours. Removing the battery stops ongoing exposure, but it does not immediately reverse tissue damage that has already occurred: For this reason, children with significant oesophageal injury may require close observation and follow-up even after successful battery removal. Prevention is the best protection. Parents and caregivers can substantially reduce the risk by: A button battery may be tiny, but the injury it can cause is enormous. If a child may have swallowed one, do not wait for symptoms. Go to an emergency department immediately. Early recognition, urgent imaging and rapid removal when the battery is lodged in the oesophagus can prevent devastating complications and may save a child’s life. When it comes to button batteries, every minute counts. ( Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.)
When all else fails, I speak to the expert who sees 50 patients a day, not the one with the most followers. Because it can cause severe tissue injury even when the child initially appears completely well, a button battery lodged in the oesophagus is uniquely dangerous. Therefore, if there is any possibility that a child has swallowed a button battery, do not wait for symptoms to appear. Because the child has recently eaten or because honey has been given, do not delay removal.
“Because they are small, round and shiny, young children may mistake them for sweets, coins or other harmless objects and accidentally swallow them” Neonatologist & Paediatric Intensivist Dr Bhawna Malik, Motherhood Hospitals, Greater Noida tells Health Shots . Those early years in policy and TV shaped how she writes today: fast, factual, and human-first.
Subject expertise With 9+ years tracking India’s health conversations, Tavishi knows the gap between clinical advice and daily life. She knows fads from fundamentals and curates science-backed, expert-recommended solutions. In fitness, she breaks down bodyweight training, recovery, and posture fixes for desk-bound readers. In nutrition, she translates guidelines into affordable, desi meal tweaks. In mental well-being, she focuses on stigma-free, actionable tools — all backed by research, expert input, and lived context.
From decoding health trends and interviewing doctors to testing fitness routines herself, Tavishi always approaches content with one filter: “Will this help someone make a better decision today?
