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Toddlers and Magnets: A Dangerous Attraction
Why Are Some Magnetic Toys Being Recalled?
By Lisa A. Goldstein
In another case, a boy who was 2 1/2 years of age began having severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. When his symptoms didn't go away, he was taken to the doctor a couple of weeks later, and then sent to the local hospital immediately. A radiograph revealed a rod-shaped object in the boy's abdomen, which his mother recognized as being from his older sibling's building set. When the boy was shown the pieces after surgery, he called them "candy."
"Of the 20 other cases associated with magnet ingestion injury – for which data was available – 80 percent were boys, 80 percent were age 3 or younger, 75 percent had bowel perforations, four cases had bowel obstruction and inflammation of the abdominal cavity and three cases had twisting of the bowel," Dr. Reznik says. "Hospital stays ranged from three to 19 days, and at least five patients required intensive care."
eToys Spokesperson Sheliah Gilliland suggests checking the manufacturer's age guidelines. These measure the safety of a toy – not a child's intelligence quotient. They are based on four different aspects of the toy:
1. Any potential choking hazards and the toy's safety (choking is a particular concern for kids ages 3 and under).
2. A child's physical ability to play with the toy.
3. A child's ability to understand how to correctly play with the toy.
4. General developmental needs of a particular age group.
eToys also recommends keeping younger siblings away from older siblings' toys.
Other precautions as suggested by Dr. Reznik include the following:
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