Systemic absorption of lithium following ingestion of a lithium button battery.

Accidental ingestion of electrical batteries occurs commonly in children. This rarely is associated with severe morbidity and mortality. Significant symptoms can arise due to leakage of alkali or heavy metals from the battery after degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. The main heavy metal of concern in electrical batteries is mercury; this is the first report of ingestion of a lithium battery in a child associated with systemic absorption of lithium.