What Happens If You Swallow a Magnet? Vrindavan Siblings Swallow Toy Magnets Bought Online

Kids are naturally curious. When they play together, they often put small things in their mouths without thinking twice. Many parents have been there, children exploring toys or objects by tasting them. But sometimes this innocent curiosity can lead to very serious problems. Recently, in Vrindavan, a 3-year-old boy named Pragyan and his 4-year-old sister, Hitanshi, went through a terrifying ordeal after swallowing small magnet toys bought online. Their story reminds us just how dangerous magnets can be if swallowed by kids.

What Actually Happens When You Swallow Magnets?

Not all swallowed things cause the same damage. For example, coins or buttons usually cause blockages that doctors can sometimes wait to clear naturally. Magnets, however, are different and much more dangerous. 

Dr. Nitin Jain, Senior Consultant, Pediatric Surgery at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, who treated both children, calls magnets a “silent killer.” He explains, “A single magnet usually passes through the digestive tract without causing harm. But when multiple magnets are swallowed, they can attract each other across the walls of the intestine.”

• A single small magnet often passes harmlessly.
• But multiple magnets can attract each other inside the intestines, clamping across the intestinal walls.
• This squeezes and traps tissue, cutting off the blood supply.
• Trapped tissue dies (necrosis), causing holes (perforations) in the intestines.
• This triggers severe infections and can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition.

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The Vrindavan Siblings’ Incident

A three-year-old boy, Pragyan, came to the hospital with strong belly pain and vomiting. Scans showed ten magnets stuck inside his intestines. Surgery found magnets clamped together, tearing holes at eight spots and destroying the duodenum, the shortest part of the small intestine.

Within 24 hours, his four-year-old sister, Hitanshi, showed the same symptoms. Doctors found six magnets inside her stomach, causing multiple perforations and tissue death. Scans revealed multiple magnets stuck in his intestines. During surgery, doctors found 10 magnets clamped together, creating holes at eight different points and destroying the duodenum, the shortest and one of the most vital sections of the small intestine. Both children had to undergo major surgeries. Doctors used advanced imaging tools like a C-Arm fluoroscopy machine to precisely locate and remove the magnets while reconstructing the damaged organs.

What Families Need to Know and Do

• Keep magnetic toys and any items with detachable small magnets far from young children.
• If a child swallows a magnet, do not wait for symptoms like pain or vomiting to start. Seek emergency medical help immediately.
• Symptoms of magnet ingestion include sudden abdominal pain, vomiting, and difficulty eating.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevent serious damage and save lives.
• Surgeries to fix magnet-related injuries are complex and risky.

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Conclusion

The Vrindavan siblings’ story is a powerful reminder of the dangers toy magnets can pose. What seems like harmless play can quickly turn into a medical emergency. Parents and caregivers must be aware and vigilant about the safety of the toys children play with. When magnet ingestion is suspected, quick action can prevent serious injury or even death.