52 Magnets, One Brave Little Boy, and a Life-Saving Team Effort at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah

What began as a seemingly harmless moment at home nearly turned into a life-threatening emergency for a five-year-old boy, until the timely intervention and exceptional care at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah changed the outcome.

A month before his admission, the boy had been playing with magnetic construction toys when his mother noticed him putting one in his mouth. Alarmed, she immediately discarded the entire set. At the time, there were no obvious signs of harm, and life continued as normal.

However, a dangerous process had already begun.

Over the following weeks, the child experienced recurring episodes of severe vomiting, each episode resolving temporarily. When the symptoms returned for a third time, his condition worsened significantly and he became lethargic, dehydrated and unable to tolerate food.

His parents rushed him to Dr. Ramia Dalati, Consultant Paediatrician, at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah. Reflecting on the moment, his mother said, “Dr. Ramia immediately recognised that something wasn’t right. She insisted on admitting our son without delay and starting intravenous fluids. Looking back, that decision may have saved his life.”

An abdominal X-ray revealed an unusual chain-like formation, prompting further investigation. A CT scan confirmed the presence of multiple metallic foreign bodies lodged deep within the small intestine. Despite efforts to remove them endoscopically, their location made this impossible, and the child’s deteriorating condition required urgent surgical intervention.

The multidisciplinary team worked swiftly. Gastroenterology, radiology, anaesthesia and surgical specialists collaborated overnight to prepare for the emergency procedure.

At 2:15 a.m. the following morning, Dr. Wissam Tamer, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, led the operation, supported by Dr. Shalini Shanmugam, Specialist Anaesthesia. What the team discovered was far more severe than anticipated: 52 magnetic beads had linked together across different loops of intestine, trapping tissue and causing progressive internal damage.

“When magnets attract each other through separate loops of bowel, they can trap tissue in between. The injury continues silently inside the abdomen even when a child appears relatively well,” explained Dr. Wissam.

The surgery revealed multiple bowel perforations, extensive inflammation and widespread infection. Despite the complexity of the case, the surgical team meticulously removed all 52 magnets and successfully repaired each injury without removing any part of the intestine.

“It was certainly a challenging operation,” Dr. Wissam said. “But one of the most rewarding aspects was being able to preserve the child’s bowel despite the extent of the damage we encountered.”

Following surgery, the child received intensive care under Dr. Deepika Gandhi and the PICU team. With close monitoring, advanced antibiotic therapy and nutritional support, he began to recover steadily. Within days, he regained bowel function, resumed eating and returned to his cheerful self.

He was later discharged home in good health.

For his family, the experience highlighted not only the seriousness of the condition but also the extraordinary level of care he received.

“We thank God every day that our son is safe,” said his father. “From the moment we arrived at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah, we placed our complete trust in the medical team, and they exceeded every expectation.”

His mother added, “Every doctor who cared for our son treated him as if he were their own child.”

She also expressed deep gratitude to the entire team:
“We are deeply grateful to Dr. Ramia Dalati for recognising the seriousness of the situation, Dr. Mohd Rabea for his expertise, Dr. Shalini Shanmugam for her care during the procedures, Dr. Wissam Tamer and the surgical team for saving our son’s life, and Dr. Deepika and the PICU team for helping him recover. We can never thank them enough.”

Reflecting on their overall experience, she added, “For us, NMC is more than a hospital – it feels like family.”

Today, the young boy is back home, playing and enjoying life. His story stands as a powerful reminder of the dangers of magnetic toys and the importance of prompt medical care.

More importantly, it is a testament to the quality, coordination and compassion of the team at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah, where expertise, teamwork, and timely intervention made all the difference.