Tag Archives: magnet

ESPGHAN Position Paper: Management of Foreign Bodies (2026)

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O Ledder et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026;83:539–554. Open Access! Foreign body ingestions in children and adolescents: A position paper of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) endoscopy special interest group

In 2015, NASPGHAN’s endoscopy committee published a report on the management of foreign bodies (see: Foreign Bodies in Children -Expert Guidance). This was quite helpful. This ESPGHAN position paper provides updated guidance though many of the recommendations are unchanged.

Overall Treatment Algorithm:

Button Batteries

Blunt Objects/Benign Foreign Bodies

  • Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) Since these items are translucent, imaging is useful only for identifying the sequelae of the ingestion, but not the SAP itself… In cases of witnessed or suspected ingestion of SAP, emergency endoscopy should be performed to attempt retrieval of the material. If this is unsuccessful, or not completely retrieved, the child should be admitted for close observation with surgical support.

Magnets:

  • On table fluoroscopy has been suggested to confirm removal of all magnets if there is doubt whether all have been retrieved. (My personal experience is that fluoroscopy is particularly helpful if a colonoscopy is needed.)

Sharp Objects

My take: These guidelines are similar the previous NASPGHAN endoscopy committee recommendations from 2015. They are still worth a read for more context and there are a lot of endoscopy pointers in this report.

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Magnets: Clear and Present Danger

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As noted in previous blogs (see below for links), ingested magnets represent a significant problem.  Two more studies add data to this issue:

  • JPGN 2013; 57: 14-17.
  • JPGN 2013; 57: 18-22.

The first study relates a retrospective single-hospital experience from 1995-2012 (from Boston).  In total, 112 cases of magnet injuries were identified using an initial computer search followed by manual chart review.  The mean patient age was 6 years.  The incidence rate ratio of 3.44 during the period 2007-2012 indicates a significant uptick in these injuries compared with the prior period. In addition, “office toys” accounted for 18 of 45 injuries during this latter period. Nature of injuries: swallowed magnets accounted for 86% of these injuries with 13 (12%) requiring endoscopic removal and 4 (4%) needing surgical intervention.

The second study analyzed a nationally representative same from the US Consumer Product Safety Commision Database (NEISS) for emergency department (ED) visits involving magnet ingestion in children (< 18 years) from 2002-2011.  NEISS sample includes >100 hospitals and 7 children’s hospitals.  The authors note that searching NEISS is not always straight-forward as specific product codes need to be entered like toy, kitchen gadget, and others.  The findings:

  • 16,386 suspected magnet ingestion related ED visits from 2002-2011
  • 59.4% were boys , 54.7% were younger than 5 years
  • There was a >8-fold increase in visits for these ingestions from 2002 to 2011.
  • Study limitations: NEISS database –likely underestimates problem, and no specific NEISS code for magnets

The authors note that one institution has started screening for magnets prior to MRI after a 5 year-old with unrecognized magnet ingestion developed intestinal perforations after undergoing an MRI for torticollis.

Take-home message: Magnets are, in the words of Tom Clancy, a ‘Clear and Present Danger’ as ingestion of more than one magnet creates a high risk of perforation or fistula.

Related blog posts: