Surgeons Extract Nearly 100 Magnets from New Zealand Teen’s Intestines

A 13-year-old boy in New Zealand required surgery after swallowing up to 100 high-power magnets, which he purchased from the online platform Temu. The incident, reported on Friday, resulted in surgeons needing to remove damaged tissue from his intestines. The boy experienced four days of abdominal pain before being admitted to Tauranga Hospital on the North Island.

According to a report published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, the boy revealed he ingested approximately 80 to 100 neodymium magnets, each measuring 5×2 mm, about a week prior to his hospital visit. The magnets have been banned in New Zealand since January 2013 due to safety concerns. An X-ray indicated that the magnets had clumped together in four distinct lines within the child’s intestines, creating pressure that led to tissue death, known as necrosis, in four areas of his small bowel and caecum.

Details of the Surgical Intervention

Surgeons performed an operation to remove the necrotic tissue and extract the magnets. After an eight-day stay in the hospital, the boy was discharged and is now recovering at home. The authors of the medical report, including doctors Binura Lekamalage, Lucinda Duncan-Were, and Nicola Davis, emphasized the serious dangers associated with ingesting magnets, particularly highlighting the risks posed by online marketplaces to children.

They noted that complications from magnet ingestion can lead to long-term issues such as bowel obstruction, abdominal hernias, and chronic pain.

Temu expressed regret upon learning of the boy’s surgery. In a statement, a spokesperson indicated that the company has initiated an internal review to ensure compliance with safety regulations in New Zealand. They noted, “We have reached out to the authors of the New Zealand Medical Journal article to obtain more details about the case.” The spokesperson added that, at this stage, it remains unconfirmed whether the magnets were specifically purchased through Temu, and they are currently reviewing relevant product listings to ensure adherence to local safety requirements.

Concerns Over Online Safety

Temu, which is a Chinese-founded e-commerce platform, has faced criticism in various markets, including the European Union, for allegedly insufficient measures to eliminate illegal products from its listings. The incident involving the New Zealand teen serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of purchasing hazardous items online, particularly for younger consumers.

The medical community continues to advocate for heightened awareness regarding the risks associated with small, powerful magnets, urging both parents and online retailers to prioritize safety measures. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on preventing similar incidents in the future.