Retrospective analysis of pediatric patients with multiple rare-earth magnets ingestion: a single-center experience from China

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to characterize patients who ingested multiple rare-earth magnets, reveal the harm magnet foreign bodies in digestive tract, and develop a clinical management algorithm. Methods This retrospective review with tract admitted university-affiliated pediatric medical center China, between January 2016 December 2019; subset data evaluated included symptoms, signs, treatments outcomes. Results A total 51 cases were study, including 36(70.6%) males 15(29.4%) females. magnets passed naturally 24(47.1%) removed by intervention 27(52.9%) patients, 5(9.8%) endoscopy 22(43.1%) surgery. Twenty-two (43.1%)cases had gastrointestinal obstruction, perforation, fistula. Compared non-surgical group, time surgical group from ingestion arriving at hospital longer([80(5–336) vs 26(2–216)]hours, p < 0.001) while there no significant difference mean age or number swallowed. Conclusions Magnets are attractive children, but lead catastrophic consequences interventions when magnets. Endoscopic resection should be urgently performed presence as early possible within 24 h, even asymptomatic patients.