Emergency treatment for a child who swallowed 25 magnetic marbles into his abdomen

Abdominal X-ray results of the patient. Photo: Yen Phuong

Previously, the family discovered that the child had swallowed many magnetic marbles, so they took the child to a lower-level hospital for monitoring. However, the child had more frequent abdominal pain, so they were transferred toNghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospitalfor emergency

After receiving, thedoctorConducted tests and took abdominal X-rays of the patient. The X-ray results revealed an intestinal obstruction caused by a round foreign body, consisting of many small particles stuck together in a chain. Immediately, doctors from the Department of Surgery and the Department of Anesthesia and Resuscitation held a consultation and ordered emergency surgery.

Emergency surgery for children. Photo: Yen Phuong

During the surgery, the doctors discovered 25 magnetic balls stuck together, causing intestinal obstruction, causing the patient's duodenum and intestines to perforate in many places. After nearly 3 hours, the surgeons completely removed the foreign object and successfully sutured the perforated intestines. After the surgery, the child needed to fast and be nourished intravenously. His health was temporarily stable, but he still needed further monitoring.

According to doctors, swallowing foreign objects is a common accident in young children. Many children are hospitalized due to swallowing foreign objects such as toys, buttons, marbles, stones, etc. However, cases where children swallow a toy such as a string of magnetic marbles like T.'s are extremely dangerous.

25 magnetic balls stuck together, causing intestinal obstruction, perforating the patient's duodenum and intestines in many places. Photo: Yen Phuong

Because magnets are a group of substances similar to metals that carry magnetism, and this magnetism always exists and affects other metals. Therefore, when a child swallows 2 magnetic balls, they will tend to stick together, along the digestive tract in different parts of the intestine and not move on, causing blockage and creating pressure on the intestinal wall, causing local ischemia, thereby leading to necrosis and intestinal perforation. It can even cause septic shock, leading to death.

Magnetic balls are removed from the baby's stomach. Photo: Yen Phuong

Therefore, parents need to be careful when choosing toys for their children, and closely observe the environment around them to ensure safety. In case a child accidentally swallows a foreign object, the family should quickly take the child to a medical facility for examination and timely treatment./.