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Updated: Nov 19, 2025

Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
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Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children

Published on: September 11, 2018

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Magnet Injuries in Children: An Analysis of the National Poison Data System from 2008 to 2019

Leah K Middelberg1, Alexandra R Funk2, Hannah L Hays3

  • 1Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Department of Pediatrics, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|January 31, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric magnet foreign body injuries surged 444% after high-powered magnet sets returned to market. This highlights the urgent need for preventative measures and legislation to protect children from these dangerous exposures.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric emergency medicine
  • Public health surveillance
  • Consumer product safety

Background:

  • Magnet foreign body ingestion poses a significant risk to children.
  • Previous market removal of high-powered magnets led to a decrease in reported injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze trends and outcomes of magnet foreign body injuries in pediatric patients.
  • To investigate the correlation between magnet set availability and injury incidence.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of the National Poison Data System (NPDS) from 2008-2019.
  • Inclusion criteria: patients <19 years with magnet exposure (ingestion, inhalation, injection, dermal).
  • Data collected: demographics, injury type, medical outcomes, and temporal trends.

Main Results:

  • 5738 magnet exposures reported; majority in males (<6 years old) and unintentional.
  • A 33% decrease in cases occurred when high-powered magnets were off the market (2012-2017).
  • A 444% increase in cases (1249/year) followed the reintroduction of high-powered magnets (2018-2019).

Conclusions:

  • Increased magnet injuries strongly correlate with sales periods of high-powered magnet sets.
  • The 444% rise in injuries since 2018 necessitates immediate preventative strategies.
  • Legislative action and enhanced public awareness are crucial to mitigate pediatric magnet-related harm.
Abstract

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