271. Kids’ ER visits due to batteries has increased significantly in the last decade
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
The number of emergency room visits caused by children ingesting batteries has more than doubled in recent years, according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics. Researchers with Safe Kids Worldwide found that most of these injuries occurred in patients 5 years old or younger. In 85 percent of the cases, button batteries were involved. These are small, disk-shaped batteries often used in remote controls, key fobs, and many children’s toys. Batteries are harmful once swallowed because they generate a harsh, corrosive substance that can cause serious injury and illness if it erodes into certain organs. Parents should keep an eye on any items with these types of batteries in their homes, not just kids’ toys.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
