Teen hospitalized after swallowing high-powered magnets
A 13-year-old boy in New Zealand was hospitalized after swallowing dozens of high-powered magnets, ultimately losing part of his bowel, reports BritPanorama.
The boy, whose identity remains undisclosed, ingested between 80 and 100 neodymium magnets measuring five millimeters by two millimeters each. These magnets, often marketed as desk toys for adults, pose significant dangers if swallowed, as their strong magnetic pull can cause sections of the digestive tract to adhere to one another, leading to severe complications including pressure necrosis, perforation, and life-threatening infections.
After enduring four days of abdominal pain, the teen sought medical assistance, informing hospital staff that he had ingested the magnets approximately one week prior. Notably, the medical report did not identify the hospital involved or clarify the circumstances surrounding the ingestion.
Diagnostic scans indicated that the magnets had formed into four chains within the lower-right quadrant of the abdomen, pulling various sections of the bowel together through their magnetic attraction, which in some cases distorted imaging. This prompted doctors to conduct exploratory surgery.
During the procedure, surgeons identified that the magnet chains were inflicting pressure necrosis in parts of the bowel and larger intestine. While the magnets were removed successfully, the boy required a portion of his bowel to be excised. He spent eight days in recovery before being discharged.
Despite bans on high-powered magnets in countries such as New Zealand and Australia, enforcement remains problematic. The magnets are still readily available online at low prices, often without age restrictions, according to the report.
The boy disclosed to physicians that he had purchased the magnets from the online retailer Temu. However, the company stated it could not independently verify this claim.
In response, a Temu spokesperson mentioned, “As a precaution, we reviewed the photo of the magnets published in the Journal and checked listings of similar products on our platform. The magnets currently available are compliant with New Zealand regulations, and such products are also sold through other major online and physical retailers.”
The statement further noted, “While these products are lawful to sell, they can be dangerous if swallowed, and we support efforts to raise public awareness about magnet safety.”
In the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Commission introduced a mandatory safety standard in 2022, which limits the power of loose or separable magnets in products intended for entertainment and stress relief. The agency has issued multiple recalls for hazardous magnet-containing products, continuing to classify them as safety risks.
The ongoing challenge of regulating these products underscores the need for increased awareness regarding their potential dangers, particularly among young users.
