Sheer negligence turned into nightmare for a child: a case report of multiple magnetic foreign bodies intake

Abstract

Foreign body ingestion is one of the most common pediatric emergencies. The ubiquity of toys containing magnetic elements lead to an increase in such incidences. While most ingested foreign bodies, including a single magnet and will spontaneously pass out of the gastrointestinal tract, some may give rise to grave and potentially life-threatening complications which is often seen in the presence of 2 or more magnets or paramagnetic material. The diagnosis of ingestion of magnetic foreign bodies remains a challenge, given its often ambiguous history and presentation. Here we present one such case of multiple metallic foreign bodies intake gone unnoticed by the parents which brought nightmare for the 5-year-old child and for the surgery team due to on table decisions being taken. Unlike most cases of foreign body ingestion, the presence of magnetic and paramagnetic elements imposes the risk of serious injury to the gastrointestinal tract. While history and clinical presentation are often ambiguous, it is paramount that physicians carefully investigate the patient; a simple plain abdominal radiograph may suffice in revealing any dense foreign bodies of metallic densities. The ingestion of multiple magnets presents a unique situation in which foreign objects are not able to pass with normal motility due to tethering between loops of bowel, which may become ischemic and perforate. We recommend early surgical intervention before gastrointestinal complications develop. Toy companies, parents and physicians should be warned of potentially fatal outcome of ingesting these ‘nicely made’ toys.