13-Year-Old Hospitalized After Swallowing 100 Magnets

A 13-year-old boy from New Zealand was hospitalized after swallowing between 80 and 100 high-powered neodymium magnets. The incident unfolded over a week, during which the boy experienced significant abdominal pain, ultimately leading him to disclose the ingestion to medical staff. X-rays revealed that the magnets had formed four long chains within his bowel, prompting urgent surgical intervention.

Surgeons performed a major operation to remove the magnets, each measuring approximately 5 mm by 2 mm. Remarkably, the boy was discharged just eight days later, though he lost a portion of his bowel due to the complications. This case underscores the serious dangers associated with ingesting small, high-powered magnets.

Professor Alex Sims from the University of Auckland commented on the risks, stating, “As this case study shows, ingesting small high-powered magnets is life-threatening.” These magnets are often marketed as fun toys for both adults and children, typically sold in colorful sets that can be attractive to young users. Unfortunately, their design makes them particularly appealing, increasing the likelihood of accidental ingestion.

This incident is not isolated. In 2024, an eight-year-old boy tragically died after consuming a cluster of small magnets that obstructed his bowel. Earlier this year, a seven-year-old boy required emergency treatment after swallowing magnets from the tabletop game Kluster. In Australia alone, 44 children were admitted to hospitals in 2022 due to similar incidents involving magnet ingestion.

While a single magnet typically poses little risk, swallowing multiple magnets can lead to severe complications. The magnets can attract each other through layers of intestinal tissue, potentially causing pressure necrosis and perforation. The risk escalates significantly with high-powered magnets, which are banned in many countries yet remain accessible online.

The magnets swallowed by the New Zealand teenager were purchased from the online marketplace Temu, highlighting the need for increased vigilance regarding children’s online purchases. “It’s always important to support and monitor the online purchases of young people,” emphasized Professor Ekant Veer from the University of Canterbury.

The ease of access to unregulated products, often driven by social media trends, raises concerns about the safety of these items. The case also reflects a broader issue; despite heightened awareness, incidents of children ingesting magnets have persisted. A case reported in 2013 involved a three-year-old who similarly required emergency surgery after swallowing magnets.

The evolution of magnets has contributed to the problem. Neodymium–iron–boron magnets, developed in the early 1980s, are significantly stronger than traditional ferrite magnets. The widespread availability of these products, combined with decreasing prices and improved manufacturing technology, has led to their proliferation in toys and novelty items.

As the case of the New Zealand boy illustrates, the ingestion of high-powered magnets poses a serious risk to children. While these items are likely to remain on the market, ensuring they are kept out of reach of young children is crucial to preventing life-threatening emergencies. The message is clear: increased awareness and monitoring of children’s interactions with such products can mitigate potential dangers.