Ingestion of foreign bodies in children

Super strong magnets can also be called Neo magnets, Bucky balls, Magnet balls or Super Strong Rare-Earth Magnets. 

They are most often sold as ‘adult desk toys, stress relievers or brain development toys and it not legal to sell them to children less than 14 years of age. 

They are 7-14 times stronger than traditional magnets and can be a variety of shapes, most often balls or discs.

Today, your child has been discharged after swallowing of a super strong magnet. Even though the magnet has not passed through them yet, it is safe to take your child home.

After going home, your child will need a follow up X-ray 6-12 hours later and you will 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 your child’s bowels.

Until 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 your child’s faeces (poo) to find the swallowed object.

If a single magnet has been swallowed and it is not too large, it will usually pass through the digestive system on its own. 

Very rarely, the magnet can become stuck in the stomach or intestines. Therefore, if your child has any of the following symptoms then you must return to the Emergency Department immediately: 

• Concerns of further magnet or foreign body ingestion.
• Vomiting.
• Abdominal (tummy) pain.
• Blood in their vomit or poo.
• A fever.
• You have concerns about a change in your child’s eating patterns, for example refusing food or fluids.

Button batteries are small circular batteries which are often used in small electrical items such as TV remotes, key fobs, games, thermometers etc. 

They are often also called coin batteries, button cells, or lithium coin batteries. These batteries produce a small current when they are in contact with body fluids. 

This is not a problem if the battery is moving within the digestive system, but can cause harm if it becomes stuck. 

If your child is over the age of five, and the X-ray shows that the button battery has already passed into their stomach or bowel, then your child is at low risk of serious harm. 

The button battery will likely keep passing through your child’s digestive tract, and will come out in their faeces (poo) with no harm caused to your child. 

If your child wears nappies, it is important to change them regularly during this time, as the button battery can cause burns to the skin if in contact for a long time. 

Larger button batteries can be more dangerous than smaller ones. Your doctor will have told you if your child has swallowed a large or small button battery. Large batteries are >20mm, and small batteries are <20mm. 

Larger button batteries – if your child has not passed the battery in their faeces within 48 hours of the time they swallowed it, then you must return to the emergency department for a repeat X-ray. 

Smaller button batteries – if your child has not passed the battery in their faeces within 10 days of the time they swallowed it, then you must return to the emergency department for a repeat X-ray 

Very rarely, the button battery can become stuck in the stomach or intestines. Therefore, if your child has any of the following symptoms then you must return to the Emergency Department immediately: 

• Vomiting.
• Abdominal (tummy) pain.
• Blood in their vomit or poo.
• A fever.
• You have concerns about a change in your child’s eating patterns, for example refusing food or fluids.