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Teen's Surgery Highlights Dangers of Swallowing Magnets

10/24/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A 13-year-old boy in New Zealand underwent bowel surgery after swallowing nearly 200 high-powered magnets.
Doctors at Tauranga Hospital found tissue damage from magnets ingested by the boy.
The magnets were purchased online and pose a significant risk to children, with a trend toward body piercings.
The case study was published in the New Zealand Medical Journal.

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Story summary

A 13-year-old boy in New Zealand underwent bowel surgery after swallowing nearly 200 high-powered magnets.
Doctors at Tauranga Hospital found tissue damage from magnets ingested by the boy.
The magnets were purchased online and pose a significant risk to children, with a trend toward body piercings.
The case study was published in the New Zealand Medical Journal.