Bring the child to the Emergency Room. If the battery is in the esophagus, or the child is having pain, severe vomiting, or bleeding, then the battery should be removed at once. If the battery has fragmented and might contain mercuric oxide, then blood mercury levels should be followed. On the other hand, if the battery has passed intact into the stomach or beyond, then almost all kids will be fine. Laxatives are given to help move the battery along more quickly.
Severe burns can occur when the battery sits in the esophagus without moving.
These children are critically ill. Whenever treatment questions exist about a critically ill child, there are hotlines devoted to giving specific advice based on up-to the minute information about the child. Your question is a sobering reminder for all of us to be vigilant about what hazards our children have access to. Internal burns can be a devastating problem. It sounds like this little girl's condition is grave, but that if the infection is treated, slow healing of her insides can take place.