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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 14, 2012; 18(38): 5324-5328
Published online Oct 14, 2012. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i38.5324
Magnets, children and the bowel: A dangerous attraction?
Anil Thomas George, Sandeep Motiwale
Anil Thomas George, Department of Physiology, St Mark’s Hospital, London HA1 3UJ, United Kingdom
Anil Thomas George, Sandeep Motiwale, Department of Paediatric Surgery, Queen’s Medical Center University Hospitals, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
Author contributions: George AT drafted and wrote the review paper; Motiwale S discussed the topic and corrected the paper.
Correspondence to: Dr. Anil Thomas George, Department of Physiology, St Mark’s Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, London HA1 3UJ, United Kingdom. anilthomasgeorge@hotmail.com
Telephone: +44-1803-654806 Fax: +44-1803-654996
Received: July 6, 2012
Revised: August 13, 2012
Accepted: August 16, 2012
Published online: October 14, 2012
Abstract

Reports of magnet ingestion are increasing rapidly globally. However, multiple magnet ingestion, the subsequent potential complications and the importance of the early identification and proper management remain both under-recognized and underestimated. Published literature on such cases could possibly represent only the tip of an iceberg with press reports, web blogs and government documents highlighting further occurrence of many more such incidents. The increasing number of complications worldwide being reported secondary to magnet ingestion point not only to an acute lack of awareness about this condition among the medical profession but also among parents and carers who will be in most cases the first to pick up on magnet ingestion. There still seems to be no consensus on the management of magnet ingestion with several algorithms being proposed for management. Prevention of this condition remains a much better option than cure. Proper education and improved awareness among parents and carers and frontline medical staff is key in addressing this rapidly emerging problem. The goal of managing such cases of suspected magnet ingestion should be aimed at reducing delays between ingestion time, diagnosis time and intervention time.

Keywords: Multiple magnet ingestion; Children; Bowel injury; Fistulation; Necrosis