Two Israeli Children Hospitalized After Swallowing Dangerous Objects Including Battery and Magnets

In the past two weeks, Emek Medical Center treated two critical cases involving children swallowing hazardous foreign objects. A 4-year-old boy ingested a small button battery, while a 5-year-old girl swallowed 16 magnetic toy pieces, resulting in severe digestive system damage and requiring complex surgery.

Dr. Firas Rinawi, head of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition at Emek Medical Center, explained that the boy’s mother immediately sought emergency care after witnessing him swallow the battery. The battery lodged in his esophagus, posing a high risk of chemical burns and serious complications such as esophageal perforation and damage to vocal cords or major blood vessels. The child underwent an urgent endoscopic procedure under general anesthesia to remove the battery and was hospitalized for observation before being discharged in good condition.

The second case was more severe. The 5-year-old girl’s ingestion of multiple magnets caused them to attract each other through intestinal walls, leading to tissue necrosis, tears, and holes in the digestive tract. Dr. Mark Arkowitz, head of pediatric surgery, said the damage was too extensive for endoscopic removal, necessitating emergency surgery to resect and reconnect damaged bowel segments. The operation was successful, and the girl is now recovering.

Medical staff emphasized the critical importance of parental vigilance and immediate hospital visits if ingestion is suspected, even without symptoms. Button batteries and magnets are particularly dangerous due to their potential to cause rapid and life-threatening internal injuries. Dr. Natanel Levi, senior anesthesiologist, urged parents to secure such items out of children’s reach to prevent accidents and highlighted that early diagnosis and treatment can avoid complex surgeries and save lives.