Rare-Earth Magnet Ingestion–Related Injuries in the Pediatric Population: A Review

Abstract

Foreign-body ingestions are common among children and usually resolve with limited, if any, treatment. The ingestion of rare-earth magnets, however, commonly results in serious injury or death. These dangerous high-powered magnets can be found in the United States in a variety of consumer products, including magnetic toy sets designed for children and adults. The ingestion of one of such magnet is unlikely to cause significant harm. However, if multiple magnets are ingested, or if a magnet is ingested along with a metal object, the magnets are powerful enough to attract each other through the walls of the intestine, potentially resulting in significant internal damage. Rare-earth magnet ingestion cases are difficult to diagnose and the symptoms are not easy to differentiate from other causes of gastrointestinal illness or pain. However, delays in medical treatment can lead to serious injury or death. This review article describes the epidemiology of rare-earth magnet ingestion-related injuries and provides recommendations for diagnosis and treatment. Federal regulatory efforts related to rare-earth magnets and other prevention strategies are also discussed.