Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
04:55
Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
[Multiple bowel perforations after swallowing magnetic toys]
Charlotte Green Carlsen1, Andrea K Floyd, Eskild Lundhus
1Eskild Lundhus Regionshospitalet Viborg, Organkirurgisk Afdeling. Charlotte@greenhesel.dk
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|January 23, 2008
Summary
Ingesting multiple magnets can cause serious gastrointestinal injury in children, leading to complications like bowel obstruction and perforation. Awareness of this risk with magnetic toys is crucial for pediatric safety.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Foreign Body Ingestion
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Ingestion of foreign bodies is a frequent occurrence in pediatric patients.
- Most ingested foreign bodies pass without complication.
- Multiple magnets pose a unique hazard due to magnetic attraction.
Observation:
- A 6-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder ingested four magnets.
- The magnets traversed the gastrointestinal tract.
- The magnetic attraction caused significant injury.
Findings:
- The patient developed bowel obstruction.
- Eight small perforations of the bowel were identified.
- Bowel wall necrosis was a significant concern.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider magnet ingestion in pediatric patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Early recognition and intervention are critical to prevent severe complications.
- Educating caregivers about the risks associated with magnetic toys is essential for prevention.
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