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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
04:55
Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
[Ingested magnetic button. A rare cause of intestinal rupture]
C Baeza-Herrera1, T González-Mateos, R Cortés-García
1Departamento de Cirugía, Hospital Pediátrico Moctezuma, Salud del Distrito Federal, Mexico. carlosbaeza@yahoo.com.mx
Revista De Gastroenterologia De Mexico
|August 12, 2009
Summary
Ingested magnetic devices, like those in cell phones, can cause severe intestinal rupture in infants. This rare but dangerous complication requires immediate medical attention and surgical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Device Safety
Background:
- Infants are susceptible to various indoor injuries, including those from ingested foreign bodies.
- While most ingested items cause minor issues, some pose significant risks.
Observation:
- A four-month-old infant presented with intestinal rupture.
- The cause was identified as ingested magnetic buttons from a cellular telephone.
Findings:
- The initial laparotomy revealed intestinal rupture attributed to magnetic buttons.
- A secondary rupture of the cecum necessitated further surgical repair.
- Experimental models confirmed that magnetic devices can induce bowel rupture.
Implications:
- Highlights the critical danger of ingested magnetic foreign bodies in infants.
- Emphasizes the need for heightened awareness and preventative measures regarding small magnetic objects.
- Underscores the potential for severe gastrointestinal complications from seemingly innocuous items.
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