New guidelines from Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem state that if a child ingests a battery and s/he is over a year old, the child should be given honey.

Recent research has shown that giving honey immediately after ingestion may delay internal burns and complications that result from the disintegration of the esophagus.

The new guideline recommends starting the honey treatment at home and then to immediately head for an emergency room as there is a great deal of urgency in prompt treatment towards preventing serious internal damage.

The new directive, which was formulated at Shaare Zedek, states that in cases where a toddler and children swallow batteries, honey should be given immediately to prevent the severe internal damage caused by the breakdown of the battery in one’s system. The honey should be given immediately, but one must realize the situation carries a measure of urgency, and after giving honey, one should head immediately to an emergency room.

YWN-Israel points out that the study deals with button batteries, the kind found in electronic watches and other devices. However, the information released by Shaare Zedek Hospital refers to “batteries” in general.

The new medical procedure is the result of recent research showing that giving honey after swallowing a batter can significantly reduce the level of damage and complications that result from the battery breaking down in one’s system.

One should give regular honey by mouth, 1-2 teaspoons every five minutes until the battery is removed towards significantly reducing the level of damage are details above.

To date, there have not been guidelines to reduce damage from swallowing a battery to reduce burns and complications until removal of the battery.

A few weeks ago, a child arrived after swallowing a battery, and it was stuck in her esophagus, endangering her life. The battery was removed endoscopically. However, the battery, which was only lodged in the esophagus for two hours, had already caused severe burns that required multidisciplinary involvement of pediatric, gastroenterologists, dermatologists, ENTs and chest surgeons. The girl was released to her home in good health about a month later.

Because of the frequency of such occurrences, gastroenterologists began searching for a way to limit the damage caused by the battery when it begins breaking down.

It is important to emphasize that giving honey does not diminish the urgency to get the child to an emergency room in any way. Every minute counts! The honey treatment is only meant for one who swallowed a battery, and not other objects.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)