Faustine, a two-and-a-half-year-old girl died on the night of July 14 to 15 following the absorption of a button cell battery. The victim had swallowed the object a year earlier.
Back to the facts. It all started on July 11, 2016 in Pont-de-Chéruy (Isère) when Faustine was suffering from breathing difficulties. The parents take him to see the doctor who concludes that he has bronchitis. 48 hours later the girl’s state of health deteriorated: her parents decided to take her to the emergency room. A whole different diagnosis awaits them: the radio reveals that Faustine swallowed a small lithium button cell. As soon as the news is known, the little one is followed by the doctors.
A medical error?
She stayed in hospital for a year during which she underwent 27 operations, according to RTL . Twelve months later, it was in the family home that Faustine died.
Parents believe that the battery was detected too late by the doctors. “How is it possible that nobody could have seen that? We would have saved 48 hours and the damage would have been less important”, denounces Faustine’s mother at the microphone of RTL. They should initiate legal proceedings.
The accidents caused by absorptions of small objects by children, whether toys like Rainbow loom, or batteries, are unfortunately not uncommon. Early childhood specialists occasionally call for the vigilance of parents, especially during the Christmas period. If absorption is suspected, parents should immediately go to the emergency room.
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