Life-Saving Surgeries for Siblings After Ingesting Toy Magnets
Emergency Surgeries Save Young Lives
In a distressing incident, a three-year-old boy and his four-year-old sister faced life-threatening injuries after swallowing toy magnets bought online. Medical professionals in Faridabad, Haryana, conducted two extensive surgeries within a span of 48 hours to save the siblings. The children were admitted to the hospital on August 12 and 13, both requiring urgent surgical intervention due to severe internal injuries caused by the magnets.
The boy, Pragyan, arrived at the hospital experiencing intense abdominal pain and persistent vomiting. Diagnostic scans revealed multiple foreign objects lodged in his intestines. During the surgical procedure, doctors discovered that ten magnets had clamped together, resulting in eight separate tears and significant damage to the duodenum, the initial section of the small intestine.
Less than a day later, his sister, Hitanshi, presented with similar symptoms. Further examinations indicated that six magnets were trapped in her stomach, leading to multiple perforations and tissue necrosis. Dr. Nitin Jain, a Senior Consultant in Pediatric Surgery at Amrita Hospital, described this case as one of the most challenging he has encountered, labeling magnets as 'silent killers' due to their ability to cause internal damage without immediate symptoms.
While a single magnet may pass through the digestive system without causing harm, the ingestion of multiple magnets can lead to them attracting each other across intestinal walls, cutting off blood supply to the tissue in between. This can result in necrosis and perforations, which can trigger severe infections and sepsis, according to Dr. Jain. The surgeries required intricate reconstruction of the damaged digestive tract, particularly the duodenum, which is known for its complexity in pediatric surgery.
To navigate the scattered magnets within the digestive system, the surgical team utilized a C-Arm fluoroscopy machine, allowing for real-time imaging during the operation. This advanced imaging technique was essential for ensuring the children's survival within the critical 48-hour timeframe. The parents expressed their shock, stating they purchased the toys believing them to be safe, never anticipating the danger they posed. They recounted how their son's sudden severe stomach pain led them to the hospital, only to discover the presence of magnets in his intestines. The following day, their daughter exhibited the same alarming symptoms.
After several weeks of intensive care, both children have been discharged from the hospital. Medical experts have issued warnings to parents regarding the hazards associated with magnetic toys, highlighting that many cases worldwide necessitate risky surgeries and can even be fatal. They emphasize that the best preventive measure is to keep children away from toys containing detachable magnets or small objects that could be swallowed. In cases of suspected magnet ingestion, immediate medical attention is crucial, as delays can lead to serious organ damage and life-threatening infections.