Magnet Mishap: Toddler Saved After Swallowing 50 Magnetic Balls

Jerusalem, 14 October, 2024 (TPS) -- A one-and-a-half-year-old Israeli toddler was rushed into emergency surgery at the Galilee Medical Center after swallowing approximately 50 magnets, hospital officials said on Monday. Thanks to the prompt response of the medical team, a potentially life-threatening situation was averted, and the toddler is now recovering in the pediatric intensive care unit.

The incident began when the child’s parents, residents of Nahariya, noticed that several magnetic balls their son had been playing with were missing. Suspecting that their son had swallowed the magnets, they took him to the pediatric emergency department. Despite showing no immediate symptoms, an X-ray revealed a significant accumulation of magnets in the toddler’s stomach and esophagus.

Medical staff quickly performed an endoscopy to remove most of the magnets. However, senior pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Orit Elkayam and staff found that, due to the extended presence of the magnets in the digestive tract, some parts of the stomach and intestines had become fused together by the magnetic force. Several magnets had even penetrated the stomach wall, making removal more complex and dangerous.

As a result, the toddler required emergency surgery to safely extract the remaining magnets and repair damage to his digestive system. Dr. Nadav Slifer, director of the pediatric surgery department, led the operation, discovering 11 additional magnets spread throughout different areas of the digestive tract.

The surgery also revealed multiple perforations in the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine caused by the magnets’ pressure against the intestinal walls.

Following the successful procedure, the toddler was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit for monitoring and later moved to the pediatric surgery department in stable condition.

Dr. Slifer issued a cautionary message to parents about the dangers of magnetic toys.

“Magnets are a very dangerous game,” he warned. “When a child swallows several magnets, they can stick together inside the digestive system, causing obstructions, perforations, and potentially life-threatening conditions. The best way to prevent these incidents is by keeping magnets out of reach of children. If there is any suspicion of ingestion, it is crucial to seek emergency medical care immediately.”