How Toy Magnets Almost Cost Two Kids Their Lives

Summary:

This life-threatening incident occurred in Vrindavan, where two children accidentally swallowed toy magnets and had to undergo life-saving surgeries to survive.
The parents of two children – a boy, Pragyan (aged 3 years), and his sister, Hitanshi (aged 4 years) had purchased some toys, of a reputed brand, online, for them.
The children accidentally swallowed the toy magnets without their parents ‘ knowledge.

Early Symptoms Raise Alarm

Pragyan exhibited severe symptoms of abdominal pain and continuous vomiting. His parents thought it was some stomach infection and took him to Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.
The next day, his sister Hitanshi exhibited similar symptoms of abdominal pain and continuous vomiting, and she was rushed to the same hospital.

Critical Diagnosis

Tests and scans carried out revealed that there were magnets lodged in their bodies. Pragyan had ten magnets lodged together in his intestine, tearing holes in eight spots, which destroyed his duodenum (first part of the small intestine).
Hitanshi had six magnets stuck in her stomach, which caused perforations and necrosis.

Complex Surgeries Within 48 Hours

Both children required life-saving surgical procedures. Pragyan required complex reconstructive surgery as a part of his small intestine was destroyed.
In a span of 48 hours after swallowing the magnets, the children were operated upon.
The medical team led by Dr Nitin Jain, Senior Consultant – Paediatric Surgery, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, performed back-to-back surgeries on the children. Complex reconstructive surgeries, aided by a C-Arm fluoroscopy machine for real-time imaging for precise removal and repairs, were carried out. The surgeries were completed within 48 hours to avoid any further life-threatening complications.

This was the “toughest situation” that we had come across. Children often swallow small items like buttons and coins, which cause obstructions in the body but pass through the gut harmlessly.
However, ingesting multiple magnets is life-threatening as they “silently snap across the walls of the intestines, crush the tissue, which results in loss of blood and causes necrosis (tissue death), perforations that can trigger fatal infections and sepsis, which are life-threatening.”

Dr Nitin Jain, Senior Consultant , Paediatric Surgery, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad

Global Statistics

Statistics show that cases of children swallowing magnets are a cause of major concern worldwide. These incidents primarily occur in respect of educational or fidget playsets.

According to a global review of cases occurring worldwide (2002-2024), the US shows the highest number of accidental magnet ingestion cases, i.e. 23,756
A multi-country study across Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Turkey showed that magnet ingestion cases by children were much higher, resulting in severe complications, including bowel perforations and life-threatening infections.
In India, the situation is similar, with an increasing number of children ingesting magnets being rushed to hospitals.

Road to Recovery

The parents of Pragyan and Hitanshi were astonished at the complications that arose. They never imagined that the toys they purchased online would lead to such life-threatening complications, which could have led to the death of their children.
Pragyan and Hitanshi have been discharged, but this incident highlights a larger public health problem that is common in the world over.
The doctors warn that the symptoms of magnet ingestion, like abdominal pain, bloating, and vomiting, are similar to those of common stomach infections.

Advice to parents

Parents are advised of the following ways to prevent such life-threatening situations :

Not to purchase toys with detachable magnets, as there are chances of ingestion by the children.
Be informed about the safety and hazards before purchasing any toys.
Not purchasing small toys or toys with detachable parts that can easily be ingested.
To immediately seek medical intervention if they suspect their child has swallowed any magnet/s or toy parts.
Child safety regulations should be practised by toy manufacturers with clear indications on the labels.
High-powered magnetic toys for children should be banned.
Children should not be given small toys to play with unless supervised by parents.

Conclusion

A breath-taking incident. What if any one of the children had succumbed to their serious injuries? No doubt, there were complex complications, but the doctors are to be commended for their determination and gruelling hours of multiple surgeries that saved the lives of two innocent children.
Parents should follow the above precautions to prevent any similar mishaps from occurring.

Inputs from various media sources.