What happened to Jess Sandoval's daughter Elana?

Elana, aged 4, swallowed a button battery from a toy wristlet, leading to a perforated esophagus and mediastinitis, requiring surgery and ICU care.

How dangerous are button batteries for children?

Button batteries are extremely dangerous; they can cause severe internal burns, perforations, and life-threatening infections if swallowed.

What should I do if my child swallows a button battery?

Immediately go to the nearest emergency room and call the National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 1-800-498-8666.

Home / Health / Mom's Warning: Button Batteries Are Silent Holiday Threats

Mom's Warning: Button Batteries Are Silent Holiday Threats

25 Dec

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Summary

A 4-year-old girl required surgery after swallowing a button battery.
The battery caused esophageal perforation and mediastinitis.
Over 3,500 people swallow button batteries annually in the U.S.

A Colorado mother's urgent warning about the dangers of button batteries comes after her 4-year-old daughter, Elana, required emergency surgery following ingestion of a small battery. The incident occurred on December 7, 2025, when Elana swallowed a button battery from a festive wristlet, mistaking it for a blueberry. This led to a perforation of her esophagus and a serious infection known as mediastinitis, necessitating intensive care and a feeding tube.

Doctors at Children's Hospital Colorado explained that while the battery was removed, the chemical burns it caused can lead to further complications, including bleeding and strictures in the esophagus, potentially requiring future medical intervention. This experience underscores the deceptive risks associated with common items containing button batteries, such as greeting cards, toys, and accessories, many of which lack secure battery compartments.