European paediatricians need to be more aware of the risks faced by children who swallow button batteries and how to treat them.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess how aware European paediatricians were of the risks faced by children who swallowed button batteries and the advice for managing such cases.

METHODS

An Internet-based survey was conducted among European paediatricians between 1 April 2023 and 31 May 2023. The researchers contacted members of the European Academy of Paediatrics Research in Ambulatory Setting Network and a number of European national paediatric societies.

RESULTS

Responses were received from 605 paediatricians (66.0% females) in 41 countries and 64.5% had encountered cases of button battery ingestion. Only 31.2% had received specific training and only 35.7% were familiar with the advice issued by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and the European Academy of Pediatrics. While 90.8% of respondents correctly recognised the need for hospitalisation of a child after button battery ingestion, only 30.1% of them identified all symptoms and 58.2% could accurately determine the appropriate diagnostic scope. One in ten underestimated the health or life risks. These deficiencies were significantly attributed to a lack of adequate training (p < 0.01). The overwhelming majority of the respondents expressed the need to increase awareness among physicians and childcare providers, mainly through social media campaigns and advertisements.

CONCLUSION

European paediatricians were insufficiently aware of button battery ingestion risks and management, with significant gaps in training and familiarity with advice. Respective education for medical practitioners and raising public awareness should be markedly strengthened.