From "Jarts" to "Zen Magnets": Protecting Our Children from Dangerous Toys

Magnetic foreign body ingestion in pediatric age

OBJECTIVES

To assess the clinical complications reported after the ingestion of magnetic foreign bodies (FBs) in pediatric age, along with their incidence among all FB ingestions and clinical presentation.

STUDY DESIGN

We've consecutively recruited all children aged 0-14 years who were admitted for single or multiple magnet ingestion from May 2015 to December 2022. Patient demographics, admission sources and discharge status were accurately recorded, along with their clinical management and outcomes.

RESULTS

Sixty-one children were enrolled, of whom 49/61 (80.3%) had ingested a single magnet and 12/61 (19.7%) multiple magnets. Only 1/49 children with single magnet required endoscopic removal due to esophageal retention. Among children having ingested multiple magnets, 5/12 (41.7%) undergo endoscopic removal since magnets were amenable to endoscopic retrieval whereas in 7/12 (58.3%) magnets could not be promptly removed. Among these, 4/12 (33.3%) later developed intestinal ischemia/necrosis or perforation and required FB surgical intervention whereas 3/12 (25%) uneventfully evacuated magnets.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data confirm that multiple magnet ingestion, unlike single magnet ingestion, pose a serious health hazard. Parents and caregivers should remove them from the reach of children. Medical providers should maintain a high index of suspicion of their ingestion since prompt evaluation and likely removal may be lifesaving and intestine saving.

Magnet Ingestion in Children Management Guidelines and Prevention

Purpose: Foreign body ingestion is common in children, and most foreign bodies pass spontaneously without causing serious injuries. Ingestion of multiple high-power magnet pieces is unique and increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. The longer the duration of ingestion, the increased likelihood of complications. Various management options have been reported, and there is no consensus on the ideal management which necessitates the need for a practical algorithm. The incidence of magnet ingestion has been increasing and directly related to the laws and recalls. The aim of this review is to provide an easy and practical pathway for management and to highlight the preventive rules of the legislations and recalls. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the list of references from all identified complete publications were searched for all publications in English-language for pediatric magnet ingestion. Conclusion: Practical and time-saving management pathways are recommended to minimize the risk of complications. Preventive rules and recalls are important for eliminating the availability of these hazardous magnets. Public awareness about the unique risks posed by these magnets if ingested is important.