The director of the pediatric surgery clinic at the University Hospital Jena in Germany, Felicitas Eckoldt, issued a stark warning about the dangers of children ingesting small magnets commonly found in toys such as magnetic construction kits, board games, and figurines. According to Medspace
Speaking at a press conference during the 141st Congress of the German Society of Surgery, Eckoldt emphasized the potential fatality of swallowing multiple magnets or ingesting a magnet along with a metal part.
Toys equipped with strong magnets, popular since the early 2000s, pose a significant risk to children, Eckoldt noted, citing warnings dating back to 2007. Despite efforts to raise awareness, severe incidents resulting in fatalities continue to occur.
Eckoldt explained that young children, particularly those under four years old, are prone to exploring their environment by putting objects in their mouths. Swallowing multiple magnets can create intense pressure, causing intestinal obstructions and even death of the intestinal wall.
Dr. Till Dresbach, senior consultant of neonatology and pediatric intensive care medicine at the University Hospital Bonn, highlighted the fragility of a child’s intestine and the dire consequences if it becomes trapped between magnets.
While there are no specific figures on the frequency of magnet ingestion in Germany, Eckoldt stressed that children, especially those under five, frequently swallow objects. She recounted a tragic incident earlier in the year involving a 20-month-old toddler who died after ingesting multiple magnets.
This issue is not confined to Germany. Doctors in the United Kingdom reported a concerning rise in cases of children ingesting toy magnets, leading to surgeries and complications.
A recent study of News Medical, spanning multiple countries found that multiple magnet ingestions often result in severe complications, including intestinal perforations and infections.
In response to these risks, the EU Commission has established standards for toys with magnets, but experts advocate for clearer warning labels and public education campaigns to mitigate the dangers.
The urgency to address this issue is paramount, as the consequences of magnet ingestion for children can be catastrophic.
