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Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
04:55

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Published on: September 11, 2018

Ingestion of multiple magnets: hazardous foreign bodies for children

Keiichi Uchida1, Kohei Otake, Takashi Iwata

  • 1Department of Gastrointestinal and Pediatric Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Edobashi 2-174, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan. ucchie@clin.medic.mie-u.ac.jp

Pediatric Radiology
|December 1, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Ingesting multiple small magnets can cause serious intestinal issues like perforation and obstruction in children. Early surgical intervention is recommended if magnets don't pass, preventing severe complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Foreign Body Ingestion

Background:

  • Pediatric foreign body ingestion is a common clinical problem.
  • Ingestion of multiple magnetic objects presents unique risks due to magnetic attraction.
  • Delayed diagnosis and management can lead to severe gastrointestinal complications.

Observation:

  • A 2-year-old child ingested 32 small magnets.
  • The patient presented with symptoms of bowel obstruction, perforation, and fistula formation.
  • Radiographs revealed the presence of multiple magnets within the gastrointestinal tract.

Findings:

  • Internal magnetic attraction through the bowel wall caused pressure necrosis.
  • This led to transmural injury, resulting in perforation and fistula formation.
  • Small bowel obstruction occurred due to the magnets and associated inflammation.

Implications:

  • Early surgical intervention is crucial for cases of multiple magnet ingestion.
  • Prompt removal of magnets can prevent life-threatening gastrointestinal complications.
  • Increased awareness among healthcare providers and the public regarding the hazards of pediatric magnet ingestion is essential.

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