Parents have spoken out after a swallowed battery has left a toddler in critical condition, as reported by People.
Camila Romero, only 4 years old, has been left in critical condition after a button battery caused severe internal damage. And now her parents are speaking out about the dangers associated with accidentally swallowing batteries.
Camila was tragically hospitalized on March 8 after coming down with symptoms similar to that of a virus. Cough, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite - the standard stuff. But, that turned out not to be the case. The doctors initially treated her for a virus, but the grim discovery happened once they gave her an X-ray.
The type of battery Romero swallowed is typically used for smaller electrical devices like watches and calculators. Her parents, Cassandra Tafolla and Hugo Romero, were unaware of what they were.
Tafolla herself confessed that she "didn't know" what a button battery was. She was also unaware that the item was required for anything in her house. Hugo also said that whilst he was aware of what a button battery was, he'd "just never had anything that will use that type of battery."
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The Parents Have Pleaded Others to Check for Loose Batteries in Their Children's Toys
The parents have pleaded for parents to be more aware of the contents of their children's toys. "Just make sure it's very well secured before opening and giving it to our children... that are going to be playing with it."
According to the National Capital Poison Center, over 3,500 people accidentally ingest button batteries in the US every year. 33 people have tragically died after ingesting them since 1985 and 2019.
Doctors have warned that these batteries, whilst small, can cause severe damage to the stomach. Dr. Harman Chawla, Camila's doctor, explained the serious effects.
Dr. Chawla explained that once it's been ingested, a button battery "changes the environment of the mucosa of the esophagus". The lithium in the battery reacts with the saliva, causing a chemical reaction that can burn the stomach.
This is a truly tragic incident, and we hope that Camila recovers soon.
