A new and alarming trend has developed. Young children are swallowing magnets. In the United States at least, media accounts suggest that this occurs between 522 and 2,000 times annually. Experts are clear that this isn’t just a problem with the size of the magnets. Their strength is a double-edged sword, bringing with it even greater risk. Dr. Alexandra Jones, a pediatric gastroenterologist, emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the often grave consequences of magnet ingestion.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have repeatedly warned that swallowing several magnets can cause deadly, painful internal injuries. This hazard becomes especially dangerous in settings where children have access to these dangerous implements. Dr. Jones explains, “It’s not just about the size of the magnet, but the strength of the magnet is important too.” A flux index of 50 or higher means an extremely powerful magnet. If swallowed, this small magnet can be deadly.
In recent years, the United States has led the world in the number of children affected by magnet ingestion emergencies. After the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned high-powered magnet sets in 2014, cases dropped at first. Once the ban was struck down in 2016, cases soared yet again. This increase was most pronounced for those under the age of 14.
Dr. Jones hopes we can do a better job of making parents, educators, and the public aware of these very real and dangerous threats. “We want to increase public, parental, and educator awareness of these dangers,” she states. Our National Call to Action aims to stop future tragedies like these from occurring. It makes sure that caregivers understand the risks posed by these products.
Experts plead with you to act right away if magnets lodge in a child’s esophagus. It’s just as important to get them out right as away if more than one magnet is ingested, or if the child has symptoms such as belly pain, vomiting, or fever. Dr. Jade Cobern points out that prevention is still the best medicine. “Part of the reason this keeps happening is that it’s normal for many young kids to put things in their mouth as they are exploring their environment,” she explains. “This makes it so important for parents to regularly survey their child’s environment for anything that kids can access and swallow.”
New safety regulations enacted in 2022 are designed to address this issue. According to Dr. Jones, these efforts do not go far enough to keep our kids safe. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is calling on healthcare providers to be on the lookout. To begin, they must acknowledge the dangers of magnet ingestion.
