Button Battery Awareness Day and Shaylah’s story

Button Battery Awareness Day serves as a vital reminder of the hidden dangers that everyday objects can pose to children.

Button batteries are small but powerful, found in items ranging from remote controls to children's toys, and can cause life-threatening injuries if swallowed. Delays in diagnosis can only worsen the potential harm of swallowing a button battery, making it crucial for families to advocate for answers when a child presents with persistent or concerning symptoms. The importance of a timely diagnosis following ingestion of a button battery is highlighted by our client, Shaylah’s, story.

Shaylah’s Story

In 2018, Kirra and Scott Carmichael faced every parent's worst nightmare when their five-year-old daughter, Shaylah, unknowingly swallowed a button battery. What followed were six agonising months of misdiagnoses, medical setbacks, and undiagnosed suffering that nearly cost Shaylah her life.

At first, her symptoms seemed unrelated, with daily vomiting, refusal to eat, and persistent throat discomfort. Desperate for answers, Kirra and Scott took Shaylah to their general practitioner multiple times, but each appointment ended without a diagnosis. A referral to a paediatrician offered hope, yet miscommunication and missing referrals meant Shaylah never received the urgent care she needed.

As Shaylah’s condition worsened, she became unable to eat or drink and refused to open her mouth. Concerned by the lack of answers, Kirra took her to a Hospital Emergency Department only to be told she was well enough to go home. However, Kirra refused to leave until further tests were undertaken, which is a decision that ultimately saved Shaylah’s life.

A chest x-ray revealed the devastating cause of Shaylah’s symptoms, a 20mm button battery lodged deep in her oesophagus. She was rushed into emergency surgery, with doctors warning that she was just 24 hours from a potentially fatal outcome.

Although surgeons removed the battery, the damage was extensive. The electrical reaction had perforated her oesophagus, leaving it dangerously narrowed and making it difficult for her to eat or drink. She required a feeding tube, missed months of school, and endured multiple follow up medical procedures. Even now, years later, Shaylah continues to experience complications from the incident.

Why early detection matters

Button batteries react with saliva, generating an electrical current that can burn through tissue within hours. Many children suffer permanent damage, or, tragically, do not survive. 

A simple x-ray can prevent months of suffering or even save a life. Delays in diagnosis, such as Shaylah’s, can lead to devastating complications, including oesophageal perforation, digestive tract erosion, and even fatal internal bleeding.

Symptoms of button battery ingestion include:

• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or refusing to eat
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever 
• Persistent cough and irritability

More severe symptoms, such as dyspnoea, dysphonia (voice changes), and chest pain, can indicate worsening injury. 

If button battery ingestion is suspected, parents and medical professionals must act swiftly. The Australian Poisons Hotline (13 11 26) provides national guidance on emergency management and appropriate services to contact.

What to do if you experience a delay in diagnosis

Our medical negligence lawyers often hear heartbreaking stories about missed opportunities for earlier diagnosis. Whether due to misdiagnosis, failure to acknowledge a patient’s symptoms seriously, or inadequate investigations, a delay in the diagnosis can result in devastating injuries and in some cases, avoidable death. 

If you or a loved one has suffered due to a failed diagnosis or negligent medical treatment, we recommend you seek specialist advice. Our team of expert medical negligence lawyers are here to help you understand your legal options.