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Case Reports
. 2005 Oct;40(10):e33-5.
doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2005.06.022.

Ingestion of magnets: innocent in solitude, harmful in groups

Barbara E Wildhaber  1 , Claude Le Coultre, Bernard Genin
Affiliations
Case Reports

Ingestion of magnets: innocent in solitude, harmful in groups

Barbara E Wildhaber et al. J Pediatr Surg. 2005 Oct.

Abstract

Foreign body ingestion is frequent in children and generally associated with little morbidity. However, some foreign bodies are innocent when ingested as a single object, but may have harmful effect if numerous. We report a 9-year-old girl who swallowed 5 magnets, causing acute intestinal obstruction. At laparotomy, 2 magnets were found in the cecum and 3 in the transverse colon, attracting each other and clasping a segment of ileum in between, causing a complete obstruction of the small intestine. If numerous magnets are ingested, particular concern is advised, and if signs of intestinal distress develop, prompt laparotomy to prevent serious gastrointestinal complications should be performed.

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