From figurines to fidgets, magnets are pervasive in the toy world. While most magnetic toys are geared towards older kids, little ones can still get their hands — and mouths — on them, which can pose serious risks, particularly if they swallow more than one magnet.
It’s generally not dangerous if a child ingests one small magnet, as it will almost always pass through without issues. However, if a child swallows more than one magnet, this can lead to bowel obstruction and other serious problems.
What are the signs that your child may have swallowed magnetic toys? What should you do if they have? Here’s what parents and caregivers should know about keeping kids safe from tiny magnets often found in magnetic toys.
How are tiny magnets dangerous to kids?
Tiny magnets are dangerous to kids for many reasons. Unfortunately, they can get stuck in the intestines (bowels) and cause a blockage. It’s even more dangerous if a child swallows multiple magnets and they join together different parts of the intestines, causing that portion of the bowel to twist and get blocked and perhaps even die. This can ultimately lead to the death of the child if it’s not caught quickly.
In other words: if a child swallows two magnets separately, the magnets will try to find each other while inside the intestinal tract. This can cause bowels, which are one long tube, to connect improperly, preventing food and gas from passing through. When food doesn’t move through properly, neither does bacteria, which can cause infection.
Swallowing a magnet can also erode the mucosal surface of the intestines, which can cause a hole that allows bacteria to pass through to other parts of the body.
Finally, if a child chokes on a magnet, they can also lodge in the airways or lungs.
What are the signs a child has swallowed magnets?
No one can have their eyes on a child 24/7, so it’s important to know the red flags that signal they may have ingested magnets. Here are signs and symptoms that your child may have swallowed a magnet:
- Choking/coughing.
- Abdominal pain.
- No stool or gas passing.
- Distended (swollen) belly.
- Vomiting.
- Pointing to their throat or stomach.
Vomiting could of course point to a viral illness but if your child has ingested a magnet, the vomiting won’t stop and the child won’t be able to keep any food or water down. Also, there will be no diarrhoea. Symptoms can progress over a few hours, and ultimately you may find it difficult to wake the child up, they may be pale and eventually unconscious.
Swallowing a magnet can lead to death if it’s not caught quickly and the appropriate care given. Even with good medical care, sadly it’s still possible for a child to die from ingesting magnets.
What to do if a child swallows a magnet
If a child swallows one magnet (even a high-powered, or rare-earth magnet), it’s unlikely to cause harm, as it should pass through. Even two magnets are unlikely to cause serious issues if they’re already connected. Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to contact your child’s paediatrician if you’re concerned.
However, if a child swallows more than one magnet separately, seek medical care immediately, preferably at a children’s hospital where they have specialised paediatric doctors to remove the magnets.
If you don’t have a children’s hospital nearby, your local hospital emergency department is a good immediate starting point. The bottom line is to seek care as soon as you know or suspect that your child has swallowed a magnet.
What is the treatment for swallowing a magnet?
A single magnet will almost always pass through a child’s system, but they will sometimes need to be monitored with repeat X-rays to make sure that this happens. If it does not pass, a gastroenterologist or surgeon will go in using an endoscope with the child under anaesthesia to see if they can remove the magnet without having to perform more invasive abdominal surgery. In most cases, though, single magnets pass within 24 hours.
If the child has swallowed multiple magnets, this can be imminently life-threatening so they will undergo endoscopic retrieval or abdominal surgery immediately. Sometimes children require portions of their intestines to be removed if the blockage leads to infarction of that segment.
Generally, your child will need to stay in hospital for a few days. Your child will only be discharged home once your medical team are sure that the risk of developing worrying symptoms has passed.
How can parents and caregivers mitigate the chances of swallowing a magnet?
It’s hard to always have your eyes on little ones — especially when there are multiple kids (and messes) in the house — but here’s how to minimise the risk of a child ingesting magnets.
Keep magnets and magnetic toys out of reach of small kids
Obvious? Yes. But crucial nonetheless. Make sure that magnetic toys and other types of magnet are only in reach of children who are old enough not to try putting things in their mouths.
Educate older children about magnets and the danger of swallowing them
Make sure older siblings know the risks so that they understand that magnets are not to be played with outside of intended use. Additionally, Product Safety Australia says that parents and caregivers should ensure that magnets in toys can’t come loose, and to keep any magnets that might be problematic out of reach. Alternatively, only keep magnets in the house that are too big to swallow!