Khaberni - The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment stated that children swallowing small objects like button batteries, magnet units, and water beads is an emergency that requires urgent medical consultation.
Button Batteries
The institute explained that if a child swallows a button battery, there is a danger that the battery could get lodged in the esophagus, noting that its contact with the moist mucous membrane causes an electric current to pass through, which in turn stimulates a chemical reaction that can cause severe burns within minutes.
If there is suspicion that a child has swallowed a button battery, honey is suitable as a first aid measure until reaching the hospital; the honey forms a protective barrier between the esophagus tissues and the battery. It is advisable to give the child a teaspoon every 10 minutes.
Magnet Units
The institute indicated that magnet units attract each other even inside the body. If a child swallows two or more magnets, they can stick together in the intestines and press on their wall. Since this impedes blood flow, it can lead to the death of the affected part of the intestines in the worst case.
In such cases, an immediate medical evaluation at the hospital is necessary.
Typically, an X-ray is first performed to determine the number of magnets present, then they are removed using an endoscope, which is a long flexible rubber tube equipped with a camera that is inserted into the body.
Water Beads
The institute mentioned that water beads contain superabsorbent polymers that absorb liquids and convert them into gel. If children swallow a large number of water beads, this can have serious consequences; once they come into contact with liquids, the beads swell more and more in the body, potentially growing up to 100 times their original size, which can lead to intestinal blockage, necessitating abdominal surgery.
Inhaling water beads also poses a life-threatening risk to children; they may suffer from choking, which can be indicated by the child experiencing difficulty breathing.
To avoid these severe risks, these items should be kept out of children's reach to prevent them from swallowing them in the first place.
