What initially appeared to be an ordinary stomach ache turned into a life-threatening medical emergency for a 10-year-old boy (Master Rohit, name changed), who was rushed to Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road with severe abdominal pain and persistent vomiting. The child, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), had accidentally swallowed multiple magnetic metallic objects, resulting in a dangerous intestinal obstruction that required emergency surgery.
Children with autism may sometimes exhibit sensory-seeking behaviour or pica, leading them to put non-food objects into their mouths. In this case, the ingestion of more than one magnet created a medical emergency, as the magnets attracted each other inside different loops of the intestine, putting the child at risk of bowel injury, obstruction and perforation.
The child was first evaluated by Dr. Badshah Khan, Consultant Paediatrician, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, who immediately suspected intestinal obstruction based on the symptoms and advised urgent admission.
An X-ray revealed the presence of a foreign body in the abdomen, while a CT scan confirmed metallic objects within the small intestine. To determine whether the foreign body had reached the large intestine, Dr. Binal Shah performed a colonoscopy. However, the magnets were not found in the colon, indicating that they remained trapped in the small bowel.
A paediatric surgical opinion was sought from Dr. Bhavesh Doshi, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road following which the child underwent an emergency exploratory laparotomy performed by Dr. Bhavesh Doshi along with Dr. Pradeep Shenoy, Paediatric Surgeon at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road.
During surgery, doctors found a large cluster of magnets impacted in the terminal ileum. An enterotomy was performed to safely retrieve the magnetic pieces blocking the intestine. The bowel was then repaired, and intraoperative C-arm imaging confirmed complete removal of all foreign bodies. Fortunately, there was no bowel perforation or entero-enteral fistula despite the prolonged presence of the magnets.
The child made an uneventful recovery after surgery, gradually resumed oral feeds, and was discharged in stable condition one week later. Dr. Badshah Khan, Consultant Paediatrician at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, said: "Many parents believe that if a child swallows a small object, it will naturally pass through the digestive system. However, magnets are entirely different. Even two small magnets can attract each other through the walls of the intestine, cutting off blood supply and causing intestinal obstruction, perforation, infection or other life-threatening complications.
This risk is even greater in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or developmental conditions who may unknowingly swallow non-food objects. Parents and caregivers of autistic children should be especially vigilant and keep magnetic toys, magnetic beads, button batteries, coins and other small metallic objects completely out of their reach. Any suspected magnet ingestion should be treated as a medical emergency, as early diagnosis can save a child from major complications and even save lives."
Dr. Bhavesh Doshi, Paediatric Surgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, added: "This case highlights why magnet ingestion is one of the most dangerous foreign body emergencies in children. Multiple magnets can stick together across different loops of the intestine, leading to bowel injury within hours. Fortunately, timely imaging, multidisciplinary planning and prompt surgery enabled us to remove the magnets before irreversible damage occurred. Parents should immediately seek medical care instead of waiting for symptoms to worsen if they suspect a child has swallowed magnets or button batteries."
Doctors at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road have urged parents, especially those caring for children with autism or developmental disorders, to exercise extra caution at home. Magnetic toys, magnetic beads, button batteries and other small metallic objects should always be stored safely out of children's reach. Parents should never induce vomiting or wait for symptoms to appear if magnet ingestion is suspected, as prompt medical evaluation and treatment can prevent intestinal perforation, life-threatening complications and major surgery.