Child health

Patient information for Translation

Swallowing of super strong magnets in children

What are super strong magnets?

Super strong magnets (also known as Neo magnet, Bucky balls, Magnet balls or Super Strong Rare-Earth Magnets) have become available for sale in the UK.  They are most often sold as ‘adult desk toys, stress relievers or brain development toys’ and it is not legal to sell them to children less than 14 years of age.

They are between seven and fourteen times stronger than traditional magnets and are sometimes called super strong or powerful magnets. They can be a variety of shapes, most often balls or discs. These are some examples of what they look like.

Picture credits: The Royal College of Emergency Medicine

What is the plan today?

Today, your child has been discharged after swallowing of a magnet.  Even though the magnet has not passed through them yet, it is OK to take your child home. 

When will we be followed up?

After going home, your child will need a follow up X-ray 6-12 hours later and you should have been given a time to re attend the Emergency Department.  This follow up X-ray is extremely important so doctors can make sure the magnet is moving normally through your child’s bowels.

What to do to help?

Until your child has had their repeat X-ray, remove any other external magnetic objects nearby and avoid clothes with metallic buttons or belts with buckle.  There is no need to examine your child's faeces to find the swallowed object.

Will the magnet pass by itself?

If a single magnet is ingested, it can be expected to be passed spontaneously if the magnet is not too large. 

When to return to the emergency department?

Very rarely, the object can become stuck in the stomach or intestines.  Take your child to the Emergency Department immediately if they have:

• Concerns of further magnet or foreign body ingestion
• Vomiting
• Abdominal (tummy) pain
• Blood in their vomit or poo
• A fever
• You have concerns about a change in your child’s eating patterns e.g. refusing food or fluid

Large print and other languages

This information can be made available in alternative formats, such as easy read or large print, and may be available in alternative languages, upon request. For more information, speak to your clinical team.

এই তথ্যগুলো সহজে পড়া যায় অথবা বৃহৎ প্রিন্টের মত বিকল্প ফরম্যাটে পাওয়া যাবে, এবং অনুরোধে অন্য ভাষায়ও পাওয়া যেতে পারে। আরো তথ্যের জন্য আপনার ক্লিনিক্যাল টিমের সাথে কথা বলুন।

Na żądanie te informacje mogą zostać udostępnione w innych formatach, takich jak zapis większą czcionką lub łatwą do czytania, a także w innych językach. Aby uzyskać więcej informacji, porozmawiaj ze swoim zespołem specjalistów.

Macluumaadkaan waxaa loo heli karaa qaab kale, sida ugu akhrinta ugu fudud, ama far waa weyn, waxana laga yabaa in lagu heli luuqaado Kale, haddii la codsado. Wixii macluumaad dheeraad ah, kala hadal kooxda xarunta caafimaadka.

Bu bilgi, kolay okunurluk veya büyük baskılar gibi alternatif biçimlerde sunulabilir, ve talep üzerine Alternatif Dillerde sunulabilir. Daha fazla bilgi için klinik ekibinizle irtibata geçin.

یہ معلومات متبادل فارمیٹس میں دستیاب کی جا سکتی ہیں، جیسا کہ پڑھنے میں آسان یا بڑا پرنٹ  اور درخواست پر متبادل زبانوں میں بھی دستیاب ہو سکتی ہیں۔ مزید معلومات کے لیے، اپنی کلینکل ٹیم سے بات کریں'۔

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Reference: BH/PIN/1138

Publication date: May 2022

All our patient information leaflets are reviewed every three years.