Three-year-old Millie from Bundaberg is always sharing smiles with a sassy personality to match, so when she became lethargic and stopped eating or drinking, her parents knew something was wrong.
“Millie suddenly became unwell, pale, lethargic, refusing food, and barely drinking. Trusting our instincts, we took her to hospital,” Millie’s Mum, Emily, said.
“Millie was diagnosed with Influenza B and an X-ray revealed a foreign object in her bowel that was believed to be harmless.
“What we didn’t know was that the harmless object was in fact two small magnets, easily missed on imaging, and capable of causing catastrophic damage,” she said.
Millie’s condition continued to deteriorate, and she was airlifted from Bundaberg to the Queensland Children’s Hospital.
She underwent emergency surgery to remove the two magnets which had attracted through three layers of her small intestines, causing six perforations and severe sepsis. A section of bowel was removed, and a stoma created so her body could heal.
Millie was placed on life support in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, where she received multiple blood products, fluid resuscitation, and round-the-clock monitoring.
“Nothing prepares you for seeing your child on life support,” Emily said.
“In the weeks that followed, Millie fought her way back, enduring further surgery to reverse her stoma and slowly regaining her strength.
“We owe our daughter’s life to the extraordinary skill, speed, and compassion of the Queensland Children’s Hospital surgeon Dr Stefanutti and his team, nurses, and staff. Without them, our little girl might not be here today.
“We share her story to warn other families: high-powered magnets are silent but deadly. They can be hidden in toys, jewellery, gifts, and everyday household items.
“They may not show clearly on X-rays, and by the time symptoms appear, the damage can already be severe. Please check your homes and act immediately if you suspect your child has swallowed one.
“Our deepest hope is that by telling Millie’s story, another family might be spared the fear, pain, and uncertainty we endured.”
“Now, she is finally home, doing incredibly well, and we have our bright, sassy little three-year-old back where she belongs.”