'Magnets craze' that could have killed children sparks warning from surgeon

Two children needed life-saving surgery after swallowing high-powered ball bearing magnets, doctors in East Yorkshire have revealed.
Ball bearings recovered from one of the childrenBall bearings recovered from one of the children
Ball bearings recovered from one of the children

A third child - just four-years-old - was lucky to escape injury after the magnets stuck together and passed out of the body normally.

However, the two others were admitted to the children's ward at Hull Royal Infirmary with significant internal damage.

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One suffered a perforated stomach and duodenum after swallowing nine ball magnets while another had a small bowel perforation.

Consultant paediatrician Sanja BesarovicConsultant paediatrician Sanja Besarovic
Consultant paediatrician Sanja Besarovic

Both underwent major surgery including a laparotomy and bowel resection.

The children are believed to have swallowed the magnets - which can be bought from Amazon for as little as £2.99 - while attempting to simulate piercings on their faces.

Earlier this month Driffield School banned bearings from the school after a 12-year-old pupil - one of those admitted to Hull Royal Infirmary - accidentally swallowed two bearings.

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He told his mum after he had stomach pain and ended up having to be rushed to hospital, where he had emergency surgery.

Consultant paediatrician Sanja BesarovicConsultant paediatrician Sanja Besarovic
Consultant paediatrician Sanja Besarovic

Children's surgeon Sanja Besarovic, has written to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, to highlight the dangers to parents and schools, after the three incidents in just three months.

Ms Besarovic, a consultant paediatric surgeon at Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We have seen three cases in the past three months alone and I am concerned about the growing incidence of this problem.

"Parents and schools should be aware of this craze so they can warn children of the life-threatening risks especially if swallowed at different times.

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“Most of children are asymptomatic and first symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting develop only after damage had been done."

Those who swallow them are unaware that the magnets stick to each other through loops of gastrointestinal tract and could cause bowel perforation or intestinal blockage.

Ms Besarovic said: "We have been able to save these children but I'm growing increasingly concerned that this is happening more often.

"Both of the children recovered well after surgery but the next child may not be so lucky."