Has anyone's child ever swallowed a single magnet?

Question

My daughter just swallowed one magnet (thank goodness, not more) It was pretty small. Probably just a bit smaller than a penny. Has your child ever done this? Did it pass through? Did it make them sick?

Answer 1

There was a recall on thoes because kids were swallowing them:


April 2006
Building toy linked to injuries
Magnetix kits recalled; one death reported

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling millions of All Magnetix building sets after a small child died as a result of complications from swallowing several magnets.

The recall involves 3.8 million of the popular building sets, sold from September 2003 through March 2006 at Wal-Mart, Target, Toys R Us, Fred Meyer, Design Science Toys Ltd., A.C. Moore, and other toy and arts and crafts stores nationwide for $20 to $60, depending on size of set.

The sets, which are unsuitable for small children, are hazardous because tiny magnets inside plastic building pieces and rods can fall out, be swallowed, or aspirated into lungs. If more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attract to one other and cause an intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal. One death and several serious injuries have been linked to this toy.

A 20-month-old boy in Washington state died after he swallowed magnets that twisted his small intestine and created a blockage, according to the CPSC. Three children, ages 3 to 8, had intestinal perforations that required surgery and hospitalization in intensive care. A 5-year-old child aspirated two magnets that had to be surgically removed from his lung. A total of 34 incidents involving the sets have been reported.

Specifically, the recall involves the X-treme Combo, Micro, and Extreme building sets. Each contains 20 to 200 plastic building pieces and 20 to 100 1/2-inch diameter steel balls. The building pieces are red, yellow, blue, and green, and are shaped in 1 1/2-inch squares, 1-inch triangles, and cylinder rods. Some plastic building pieces have "Magnetix" imprinted on them.

Julie Vallese, the CPSC's director of public affairs, said in an interview that the newer sets have the magnets imbedded in the plastic so they won't fall out.

If you own an affected set, the CPSC is urging parents and caregivers to keep the toys out of the child's reach and return them to Rose Art Industries Inc. for a free replacement product suitable for a child under age six. For information and instructions, visit www.roseart.com or call 800-779-7122. Given the volume of calls, it may take some time to get through. Consumers should be sure to keep all small magnet parts out of the hands of children who mouth objects, especially children under the age of three.


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Answer 2

This is what I found on webmd

"Swallowed Magnets Are Dangerous

Multiple Magnets Can Hurt Digestive Tract By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD
on Tuesday, October 26, 2004


Oct. 26, 2004 -- Magnets pose a real danger to children. Intentional or accidental ingestion may require emergency surgery, doctors say.

Children (or adults) who swallow more than one magnet need emergency medical attention, according to radiologist Alan Oestreich, MD, of Cincinnati Children's Hospital in Ohio.

It's never a good idea for kids (or anyone else) to swallow inedible objects, but it happens frequently. According to researchers, most foreign bodies (80%) that reach the stomach get passed yet 10%-20% may require direct retrieval by a doctor. Fewer than 2% of incidents can cause intestinal blockage or rupture requiring emergency intervention.

That's why Oestreich noted the magnet hazard in a letter to the editor of Radiology in the journal's November edition.

Unlike foreign bodies that can pass through the body with relatively little trouble, magnets can seriously damage the stomach or intestine by attracting each other through the lining of different loops of intestine. Ultimately, the magnets could cause a lack of blood flow in the lining and puncture the lining of the intestine.

That's why anyone who swallows multiple magnets should seek immediate medical attention, which could include surgery, says Oestreich.

The advice applies to all ages.

Babies and toddlers, for instance, have natural curiosity but are too young to know much about safety. However, older children and adults could also be hurt by ingesting magnets.

A 12-year-old autistic boy who had swallowed magnets at a summer camp suffered abdominal pain for days until an X-ray showed the magnets, which were then removed.

Likewise, a 9-year-old girl had an intestinal perforation after swallowing 12 small magnets.

Citing those two cases in his Radiology letter, Oestreich urges all radiologists to look out for magnets on abdominal X-rays.

He also warns against using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on any patients who might have swallowed magnets.

Magnets may be more common in homes and schools than you think. They're used as decorative and organizational items (like those on refrigerator doors), toy components, and as therapeutic health objects. Used properly, magnets should not present a problem, as long as they stay outside the body."

Call the emergency room,,now

Answer 3

Depending on the size of the magnet and how old he is he should be OK. You can always go to the doctors, but they won't be able to do that much. If he gets irritable, has pain in his tummy or blood in his stools then take him straight to the ER. If he hasn't passed it with in 48 hours also go. When my daughter was 19 months old she some how got her hands on to a 20 cent piece and swallowed it. We didn't even how until she had passed it,lol. I was horrified that a small child of that age could swallow and pass a coin of that size with out any complications. When I rang the doctors they said that size wasn't of a real concern. Yeah right, it concerns the parents,lol. Good luck

Answer 4

None of my children have ever swallowed a magnet, but my nephew swallowed a coin last year. He ended up passing it, but just to be safe I would take her in to the doc, or at least call and talk to your doc. I know that if it doesn't come out it can cause an infection that can be pretty serious, but as long as it comes out you should be fine.
Good luck

Answer 5

Refrigerator Magnets For Babies

Answer 6

I have two boy (age 3 & 4) and well they have never swallowed a magnet. But my 4 year old swallowed a $1.25 in change.
( quarters) and he is still alive. So i think that she will be ok. lol

Answer 7

First call your pediatrician and ask them they know your child's health and habits. More than likely it will pass in a few days in her stool. So I would suggest find a way to catch her bowel movements and done disposable gloves and dig until you see it. If it hasn't passed in a few days call the doctor and get an appointment it could be stuck.

Answer 8

Call the doctor!

If she were to swallow another magnet or something metal at some point, they could be attracted to each other and perforate her intestines.

Answer 9

Yes, and now finally he is headed in the right direction...

some magnets are rare earth elements or plated with various metals and this should not be taken lightly, call oison control and see what they think.

Answer 10

It is made of iron, which can be toxic in large amounts, and is rather large. If it were me, I would bring her to the ER for advice on how to help it to pass through as quickly and easily as possible.