Magnet Injuries in Children: An Analysis of the National Poison Data System from 2008 to 2019
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Read the article on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗Article · Mar 2021 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
Analysis of 5,738 pediatric magnet exposures from 2008-2019 reveals a 444% surge in cases after high-powered magnet sets re-entered the market in 2018, with these recent cases accounting for 39% of all incidents in the study period. The data demonstrates clear correlation between product availability and injury rates, supporting need for regulatory intervention.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Objective: To examine, using the National Poison Data System (the data warehouse for poison control centers in the US), magnet foreign body injuries in pediatric patients. We sought to report demographic data, outcome data, and case trends between 2008 and 2019.
Study design: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the National Poison Data System for patients younger than 19 years of age with a magnet "exposure," which poison centers define as an ingestion, inhalation, injection, or dermal exposure to a poison.
Results: A total of 5738 magnet exposures were identified. Most were male (3169; 55%), <6 years old (3572; 62%), with an unintentional injury (4828; 84%). There were 222 patients (3.9%) with a confirmed medical "effect," defined as signs, symptoms, and clinical findings not including therapeutic interventions (eg, endoscopy). There was a 33% decrease in cases from 418 (2008-2011) to 281 per year (2012-2017) after high-powered magnet sets were removed from the market. Calls subsequently increased 444% to 1249 per year (2018-2019) after high-powered magnet sets re-entered the market. Cases from 2018 and 2019 increased across all age groups and account for 39% of magnet cases since 2008.
Conclusions: Significant increases in magnet injuries correspond to time periods in which high-powered magnet sets were sold, including a 444% increase since 2018. These results reflect the increased need for preventative or legislative efforts.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.01.052