Photo: Abhishek Mehta / Moment / Getty Images
A 13-year-old boy in New Zealand underwent major surgery to remove nearly 100 high-powered magnets from his intestines. The magnets, purchased online from the Chinese marketplace Temu, had formed four chains inside his intestines, causing severe pain and tissue damage. After four days of abdominal pain, the boy was admitted to Tauranga Hospital on New Zealand's North Island, where doctors discovered the magnets had clumped together, creating pressure necrosis in parts of his bowel and caecum. Surgeons removed the magnets and damaged tissue, and the boy was discharged after eight days in the hospital, according to a report in the New Zealand Medical Journal.
New Zealand banned the sale of small, high-powered magnets in 2013 due to the risks they pose to children. However, enforcing this ban is challenging, as these magnets are still available on international online platforms. Temu, the online retailer from which the magnets were purchased, stated it is investigating the incident and reviewing product listings to ensure compliance with local safety standards. Despite the ban, the magnets remain accessible, posing a significant risk to children, who may be drawn to the brightly colored objects. Doctors emphasize the importance of parental supervision when children access online marketplaces to prevent such incidents.