Ileal Perforation Caused by Ingestion of Multiple Magnets

ABSTRACT

Ingestion of foreign bodies is a common clinical problem encountered in early childhood. But ingestion of multiple magnets can cause serious lethal complications. Magnets located within another bowel loop may attract each other across the intestinal walls, resulting pressure necrosis, bowel perforation, fistula formation, intestinal obstruction, and death. Clinicians who care for children should be aware of this unexpected risk of magnetic ingestion. We report a case of ileal perforation caused by ingestion of multiple magnets in a child.