Changes in magnet exposure injuries in children reflect the period in which high-powered magnet sets were removed from and reentered the market, according to a study published in The Journal of Pediatrics. Investigators conducted a retrospective analysis of the National Poison Data System for patients younger than 19 with exposure to a magnet. They identified 5,738 magnet exposures. Most exposures were among boys, among those younger than 6, and classified as unintentional injury (55%, 62%, and 84%, respectively). A total of 222 exposures (3.9%) had a confirmed medical effect, defined as signs, symptoms, and clinical findings, which did not include therapeutic interventions. From 2008- 2011 to 2012-2017, there was a 33% decrease in cases (from 418 to 281 per year) after removal of high-powered magnet sets from the market. After highpowered magnet sets reentered the market, calls subsequently increased 444% to 1,249 per year (2018 to 2019). From 2018-2019, cases increased across all age groups and accounted for 39% of magnet exposure cases since 2008.
