A Magnetic Hazard: A Case of Multiple Foreign Body Ingestion in a Two-year-old Child

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Gastroenterology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Ingestion of magnetic foreign bodies is a growing concern in pediatric patients.
• Multiple magnets can cause significant gastrointestinal injury, including perforation and obstruction.
• Early recognition and appropriate management are crucial for favorable outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of jejunal perforation secondary to multiple magnetic foreign body ingestion in a young child.
• To highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with this condition.
• To emphasize the importance of timely surgical intervention when conservative management fails.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 2-year-old girl with symptoms of abdominal pain and vomiting.
• Diagnostic workup included imaging studies to identify foreign bodies.
• Surgical exploration was performed due to persistent symptoms and imaging findings, followed by resection and anastomosis.

Main Results:

• Imaging revealed multiple foreign bodies within the ileum.
• Intraoperative findings confirmed magnets adhered across bowel loops, causing a jejunal perforation.
• The patient underwent successful surgical resection and primary anastomosis, with an uncomplicated recovery.

Conclusions:

• Multiple magnetic foreign body ingestion can lead to life-threatening gastrointestinal complications.
• Prompt surgical intervention is often necessary for pediatric patients with magnetic foreign body ingestion and suspected perforation.
• This case underscores the critical need for awareness and prompt management of pediatric magnet ingestions.