UAE Doctors appeals parents to keep away children from batteries and magnets following notable rise in such cases

Doctors of the United Arab Emirates, in an appeal to the parents, asked them to keep their children away from magnets and button batteries. This request of the Doctors came after a number of children for ingesting or choking on the aforementioned objects. 

Abu Dhabi, UAE: The Doctors of the United Arab Emirates, in an appeal to the parents, asked them to keep their children away from magnets and button batteries. This request of the Doctors came after a number of children for ingesting or choking on the aforementioned objects. 

As per reports, Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital in Dubai, so far, has successfully treated more than fifty (50) children who digested magnets and batteries in the last year. 

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Meanwhile, in this year, a total of 9 similar medical cases have been reported so far by the healthcare facilities. 

The Doctors noted that the other objects, such as – marbles, buttons or earrings, easily pass via without serious injury, but objects like – magnets and button batteries can prove to be lethal.  

Dr Christos Tzivinikos, gastroenterology consultant with the hospital’s Aerodigestive Service, speaking on the matter, cited, “These batteries can form a strong chemical reaction in throat or stomach of an individual, which further leads to severe internal bleeding and a host of other issues”. 

He then added, “Any of the swallowed objects can get trapped in the oesophagus before reaching the stomach, requiring expert medical treatment at a specialised aerodigestive hospital to make sure safe removal. Batteries & magnets can burn via the oesophagus within 2 hours, meaning early detection is often the difference between a quick and complete recovery and long-term effects.” 

Dr Safeena Kherani, a consultant in paediatric otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Al Jalila, asserted, “Parents must be exceptionally attentive to where small, harmful objects can be seen around their residences. A child who has eaten an unfamiliar object must be taken immediately to a specialist for treatment as aerodigestive disorders are generally complex and require a multidisciplinary approach to their management”. 

In addition, last year also witnessed a ban on the small magnetic balls, also known as “rare-earth magnets”. The decision was taken by government, following the increasing risk among children swallowing the object. 

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Doctors noted that the symptoms might occur after a few times, but an infant can face an issue in breathing falling sick. According to the National Health Service of the United Kingdom, vomit, blood and cough are likely to emerge if an individual accidentally swallows batteries. 

 

Tariq Saeed

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