Clinical Features and Surgical Treatment of Magnetic Bead Ingestion in Children: A Single-Center Retrospective Study - Report - MDSpire

Clinical Features and Surgical Treatment of Magnetic Bead Ingestion in Children: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

  • By

  • Chen, Yuqiang

  • Ye, Mao

  • Zhang, Zhen

  • Yandong, Wei

  • Zhen, Chen

  • Sun, Jingxuan

  • Xu, Jianji

  • Cheng, Yijing

  • Liu, Xuelai

  • June 29, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Surgical Management and Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Magnetic Bead Ingestion

Background

Magnetic bead ingestion in children poses a serious risk of intestinal injury, including perforation and obstruction. This study provides insights into the surgical interventions and complications associated with this condition.

Data Highlights

CharacteristicValue
Total cases24
Boys15
Girls9
Median age (years)5.5
Asymptomatic cases10 (41.7%)
Intestinal perforation cases14
Complications (adhesions)11
Complications (necrosis)3
Surgical interventions18 (75%)

Key Findings

  • Abdominal pain was the most common symptom (50.0%).
  • 14 children experienced intestinal perforation, with various laboratory markers indicating inflammation.
  • Upright abdominal X-ray was the primary diagnostic tool used in 70.8% of cases.
  • 75% of children required surgical intervention, with a variety of surgical approaches employed.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should be vigilant for symptoms of intestinal injury in children with magnetic bead ingestion.

Conclusion

Magnetic bead ingestion in pediatric patients can lead to severe complications, necessitating prompt surgical interventions.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Conexiant, Multiple Magnet Ingestion, 2023 -- Overview of pediatric magnet ingestion risks
  2. Frontiers in Pediatrics, High-Risk foreign body ingestion in children: clinical features and endoscopic outcomes, 2026 -- Study on high-risk foreign body ingestion
  3. Frontiers in Pediatrics, Imaging characteristics of gastrointestinal foreign bodies in children and analysis of risk factors associated with the severity of complications, 2026 -- Analysis of foreign body retention in children
  4. Surgical Endoscopy, Evaluation of the Reasons, Clinical Features, and Treatment Approaches for the Extraction of the Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation Device, 2023 -- Insights into surgical management of foreign bodies
  5. Diagnosis and management of paediatric magnet ingestion: a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines, 2025 -- Review of clinical guidelines for magnet ingestion
  6. Diagnosis and management of paediatric magnet ingestion: a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines - PMC
  7. https://turkjpediatr.org/article/download/6371/3390/28964

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