Doctors have warned against a new craze which has left three children needing medical attention after swallowing magnets.
Youngsters are attempting to mimic tongue and cheek piercings, unaware that the ball-bearing magnets stick to each other through loops of gastrointestinal tract and can cause bowel perforation or intestinal blockage if swallowed.
Sanja Besarovic, a consultant paediatric surgeon, said three children had been treated at Hull Royal Infirmary in the past three months after swallowing high powered ball-bearing magnets.
She added that a four-year-old child was lucky to escape injury as the magnets stuck to each other and passed through the digestive system without complications.
But two others were admitted to the children's ward with significant internal damage.
One suffered a perforated stomach and duodenum after swallowing nine of the balls and another had a small bowel perforation.
Both had to undergo major surgery and have recovered well.
She said: "We have been able to save these children but I'm growing increasingly concerned that this is happening more often.
"Both of the children recovered well after surgery but the next child may not be so lucky."
Ms Besarovic added: "We have seen three cases in the past three months alone and I am concerned about the growing incidence of this problem.
"Parents and schools should be aware of this craze so they can warn children of the life-threatening risks especially if swallowed at different times.
"Most of the children are asymptomatic and first symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, develop only after damage had been done,” she added.
Agency contributed to this report
