SSAC Spotlight Series: Button Battery Injuries: 2014 Task Force Update

Program Description: More than 3500 battery ingestions occur each year in the United States. Over the past 8 years, the number of moderate to severe injuries has increased, including fatalities. A multidisciplinary national button battery task force was set up in 2012 under the American Broncho-Esophagological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics with the overall mission of reducing button battery injuries in children. This miniseminar aims to outline the current status of the problem, insights into clinical management algorithms, industry involvement, product safety standards, and educational outreach activities. All task force activities will be discussed. Educational Objectives: (1) Discuss the incidence of button battery ingestions, mechanisms of injury, clinical presentation, and common household sources of button batteries. (2) Implement treatment algorithms and be able to recognize immediate and delayed complications. (3) Implement solutions with industry collaboration and educational outreach efforts to prevent future button battery injuries.