United Arab Emirates pediatric magnet ingestion decade long study outcomes

BACKGROUNDMagnet ingestion in children is a distinct type of foreign body ingestion that often presents with nonspecific symptoms and can lead to severe complications if not promptly addressed. AIMTo describe the burden of pediatric magnet ingestion in the United Arab Emirates. METHODSA retrospective cohort study between 2016 and 2025 of all patients ≤ 18 years diagnosed with foreign body ingestion who were managed in tertiary pediatric hospital were reviewed.Cases with confirmed magnet ingestion were analyzed for presentation, management, and follow-up details. RESULTSA total of 114 cases were identified, predominantly in males, with ages ranging from 8 months to 13 years.Median time to presentation was four hours.Forty-seven percent of cases were managed conservatively, but bowel ischemia/necrosis was the most frequent complication.Following a social and print media campaign and the implementation of a national policy banning magnetic toys, the number of recorded cases decreased.CONCLUSION A significant reduction in pediatric magnet ingestion was achieved through coordinated media awareness and policy intervention.This is the first regional study to report incidence and highlight the impact of combined preventive strategies.