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What do I do if my Child Swallows a Magnet?

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What do I do if my Child Swallows a Magnet?

Kristie Rivers, MD, FAAP, Board Certified Pediatrician • November 21, 2024 • 5 min read

What do I do if my Child Swallows a Magnet? article image

While magnets are innocent appearing, they can be deadly if not removed promptly, particularly if two or more magnets are swallowed. Once they reach the intestinal tract, magnets can bind together across the bowel wall, causing tears in the bowel and potentially causing a life-threatening perforation if not recognized quickly. The physician will send your child for x-rays to locate the magnet and determine how many have been ingested. If there are multiple magnets in there, your child will likely be sent straight to the operating room to have them removed.

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