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Complications related to unwitnessed magnet ingestion in paediatrics: Case series
1Indus Hospital and Healthcare Network, Karachi, Pakistan.
Insights
Multiple magnet ingestions in children can cause severe gastrointestinal complications. This study highlights unusual presentations and surgical interventions required for these dangerous foreign bodies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Foreign body ingestion is common in children aged 6 months to 6 years.
- Magnet ingestion, particularly of strong Neodymium magnets, poses significant risks.
- Unwitnessed ingestions lead to delayed diagnosis and presentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present three cases of pediatric patients with unusual presentations of magnet ingestion.
- To highlight the diagnostic challenges and surgical management of multiple magnet ingestions.
- To emphasize the potential for severe intra-abdominal complications.
Main Methods:
- Case series presentation of three pediatric patients.
- Review of emergency department presentations and diagnostic workups.
- Surgical intervention including exploratory laparotomy.
Main Results:
- Patients presented with atypical symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis.
- Intraoperative findings revealed significant gastrointestinal injury due to magnetic attraction.
- Surgical management was required to address complications like obstruction and perforation.
Conclusions:
- Multiple magnet ingestions can lead to severe, life-threatening complications requiring surgical intervention.
- Unusual presentations necessitate a high index of suspicion for foreign body ingestion.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical management are crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric magnet ingestion.
Abstract:
Foreign body inges tion is one of the mo s t common problems a mo ng chi ldren. There is a great te ndency among children between the age of six months to six years to p lace objects, such as coins, fish bone, pins, button batteri es, magnets and o th er hous ehold ite ms, in their m outh and often swa llow them. Magnet ingestion is not uncommon. Hazardous effects can occur owing to the fact that these are usually unwitnessed leading to disparity in histor y an d delayed presentation. Nowadays these m agnets are made of Neodymium which is a s trong element and can be moulded into various shapes and sizes, making them more attractive to children . Single magnet ingestion may pass with out complication, bu t multip le ingested magnets pose risk of severe complications such as obstruction, inter bowel fistulae, and perforation often requiring urgent intervention. Here, we present three cases who presented to the emergency d epartment with unusu al prese nt ation s an d ultimately under went exp loratory La parotomy with surprising intra- operative findings along with magnetic objects.
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