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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think that my child may have swallowed this battery... any docs/nurses to help?!

25 replies

Crackopenthebaileys · 26/07/2009 18:24

19 month old was playing with the digital thermometer, taking her dollies temerature etc. I look back up and the back is open, and one battery is missing. Hubby and I have turned the room upside down looking for it, and it seems to have disappeared!

Omg, what the hell do I do? Am I being over anxious in thinking that she may have swallowed it? Or should I get down A&E pronto?
She showed/shows no sign of dicomfort, choking, dribbling, etc, but I'm really concerned she may have swallowed it!
It's one of those round watch type batteries, inbetween the size of a 10p and 5p coin.........

OP posts:

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 26/07/2009 18:28

I think you should go to A and E, i'm afraid, batteries can be very dangerous if swallowed, they can X-ray her to make sure!!

UndertheBoredwalk · 26/07/2009 18:28

If there's a chance she could have swallowed it I think you're going to have to get her checked, I don't think it will have any immediate effects, but batteries have nasty chemicals in don't they, and could do some damage to her. She may need to be x-rayed to check?

Thunderduck · 26/07/2009 18:29

A&E.

Northernlurker · 26/07/2009 18:29

When swallowing small things choking is the big risk - she hasn't choked so you're over that hurdle. If you go to A&E I think they may x-ray her to establish where it is and then if it doesn't (ahem) reappear in a few days they can x-ray again. It's sealed so it won't do her any harm - it's not like a tablet that can dissolve and release it's contents in to her.

Why don't you ring NHS direct and ask what they recommend, keep an eye on her whilst you do this. Don't worry, sure she will be fine.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 26/07/2009 18:30

From what I have just read batteries can cause severe burns to the oesophagus.

NOT trying to scare you but this is why I would get her checked out:

www.2thedeuce.com/news/kdvr-battery-death-052809,0,5566967.story

Original poster

Crackopenthebaileys · 26/07/2009 18:30

will ring nhs direct now.... good idea thanks

OP posts:

EccentricaGallumbits · 26/07/2009 18:31

Batteries - A&E

tryingtobemarypoppins · 26/07/2009 18:32

A&E hun. Don't panic, let us know how you get on.

UndertheBoredwalk · 26/07/2009 18:33

batteries can corrode in the stomach so makes no difference if its sealed at all. Can be very dangerous I think and do internal damage.
I would tbh just go straight to A+E NHS Direct horendously busy last few times I've called them over last few weeks.

Original poster

Crackopenthebaileys · 26/07/2009 18:34

unable to take call due to swine flu.... off to a&e we trot!
Will let you know!

OP posts:

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 26/07/2009 18:35

good luck, I'm sure all will be fine

LIZS · 26/07/2009 18:36

It'll probably be fine if it has reached her stomach (assuming it has been swallowed) but worth checking.

Boys2mam · 26/07/2009 18:45

I'm sure it'll turn up in the daftest place, but its better to be safe than sorry.

Original poster

Crackopenthebaileys · 26/07/2009 18:54

boys2mam is the winner......

We were just getting ready to leave, gave bubba a clean bum, and battery promtly pops out of the front of her nappy!
We assume it had dropped down the front of her vest. Scary moment which has taught me to keep the thermometer firmly in the first aid box!

Thank you all so much, I don't post often but I knew I'd get the advice I needed here

OP posts:

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 26/07/2009 19:00

oh that is fantastic news, glad you found it!

FabBakerGirlIsBack · 26/07/2009 19:02

That is good.

If it happens again don't bother with nhsdirect, they really are rubbish ime. Just go to A&E.

Thunderduck · 26/07/2009 19:03

Glad to hear she hasn't swallowed it after all.

difficultdecision · 26/07/2009 21:24

Glad she hasn't swallowed it.

Batteries and foreign coins (uk ones are ok as long as they reach the stomach) are the two dangerous (non-tablet) things to swallow and can cause serious harm in some cases so always A+E for those.

qwertpoiuy · 26/07/2009 21:29

Thank goodnes for that OP - what a relief!

Boys2mam · 27/07/2009 13:36

I love it when I'm right

Glad to hear all is well.

oldnewmummy · 27/07/2009 14:18

Why are UK coins "Ok" but foreign not? (Since I live overseas foreign more likely to be swallowed).

Servalan · 27/07/2009 14:29

Glad all is OK.

A&E would have been the place otherwise. At our local A&E they have this metal detector thing that they use to see if anything metal has been swallowed.

suwoo · 27/07/2009 14:39

Also curious to know why foreign coins are dangerous?

Random.

lottiejenkins · 27/07/2009 14:56

My ds swallowed his hearing aid battery a few years ago, that was a swift trip to casualty! It stood out as clear as a bell on the xray, im assuming it has now passed out!!

difficultdecision · 29/07/2009 09:20

not all foreign coins are but uk ones happen to be made of an alloy that doesn't contain any harmful metals so foreign (or very old collector type) coins would be more concerning as depending on which ones they were they might.

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