Suspicion of Ingestion of Super Strong Magnets
Recently, a different type of magnet (also known as Neo magnet, Bucky balls, Magnet balls or Super Strong Rare-Earth Magnets) has gone on sale. They are often sold as ‘adult desk toys, stress relievers or brain development toys’ and it is illegal to sell them to children less than fourteen years of age. They are between seven and fourteen times stronger than traditional magnets and are sometimes called super strong or powerful magnets.
They can be a variety of shapes, most often balls or discs.
Today, you/your child has been discharged after swallowing of a magnet.
Even though the magnet has not passed through yet, it is okay to go home. A follow up X-ray is arranged for 6-12 hours later and you should have been given a time to re-attend the Emergency Department. This follow up X-ray is extremely important so doctors can make sure the magnet is moving normally through you/your child’s bowels.
Until you/your child has had their repeat x-ray, remove any other external magnetic objects nearby and avoid clothes with metallic buttons or belts with buckle.
There is no need to examine the faeces to find the swallowed object.
If a single magnet is ingested, it can be expected to be passed spontaneously if the magnet is not too large.
Very rarely, the object can become stuck in the stomach or intestines.
Please attend the Emergency Department IMMEDIATELY if you/they have:
- Concerns of further magnet or foreign body ingestion.
- Vomiting.
- Abdominal (tummy) pain.
- Blood in their vomit or poo.
- A fever.
- If there are concerns about a change in you/your child’s eating patterns e.g. refusing food or fluid.
Date of Publication: 29/03/2022
Reference Number: lc00013442 / PIL183
Review Date: 01/03/2025