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A one-year-old toddler in Almaty has undergone life-saving surgery after swallowing a staggering 31 magnets. The incident underscores the critical dangers posed by small, ingestible objects for young children.

Critical Condition Requires Immediate Intervention

The 1-year-and-9-month-old child was rushed to the Almaty Center for Urgent Pediatric Medical Care in severe condition. Medical examinations revealed that the toddler had ingested 31 magnets, which had caused multiple perforations in the small intestine and leakage of fecal matter into the abdominal cavity.

Complex Surgical Procedure

Faced with a life-threatening situation, medical professionals performed an emergency operation. Surgeons opened the abdominal cavity to remove the magnets from the intestines. They then repaired the perforated sections of the small intestine, cleaned the abdominal cavity, and inserted drainage tubes. The child also underwent transanal intubation of the small intestine.

The Hidden Dangers of Magnets

Dr. Askar Rizvanov, a surgeon at the center, explained the unique peril of swallowed magnets. When multiple magnets are ingested, they can attract each other inside the body, pinching the intestinal walls. This can obstruct blood flow, leading to tissue death and perforations, potentially causing peritonitis within hours.

"Parents often underestimate how quickly a situation can deteriorate," Dr. Rizvanov noted. He stressed that even a single swallowed magnet warrants immediate medical attention, as multiple magnets pose a direct threat to a child's life.