13-Year-Old Hospitalized After Swallowing Magnets in New Zealand
A 13-year-old boy in New Zealand is recovering after spending time in the hospital and having surgery due to swallowing a significant number of magnets. Reports confirm that he ingested between 80 and 100 powerful magnets, each measuring about 5×2 millimeters.
The boy experienced four days of stomach pain before he was taken to Tauranga Hospital. An X-ray later revealed that multiple chains of magnets were stuck together in his abdomen. The surgeons were able to remove the magnets along with some damaged parts of his intestines. He was discharged from the hospital eight days later.
Medical professionals are increasingly worried about the dangers posed by high-power magnets, especially since they are easily available online at low prices. The New Zealand Medical Journal highlighted that the accessibility of these magnets poses a rising concern for children.
Ingesting multiple magnets can lead to serious injuries requiring surgery, which can also result in complications later in life. Although New Zealand and Australia have banned the sale of small high-powered magnets, enforcing these bans online remains challenging.
The magnets the boy swallowed were reportedly bought from the online marketplace Temu. A spokesperson from Temu stated that they are looking into the incident and have contacted the report’s authors for additional details. They expressed regret over the situation and emphasized their commitment to product safety, promising to monitor listings for compliance with safety regulations.
Temu is currently reviewing product listings related to this incident to ensure they meet local safety standards, and any non-compliant items will be removed. The spokesperson also noted that firm action will be taken against sellers who violate the platform’s rules or local regulations.
As the situation develops, health officials continue to urge parents to be cautious about the products accessible to children, especially those that can pose significant health risks.
