Mum's warning after young son swallows small magnetic toy balls

Things took a dark turn when Franklin stopped eating and drinking. Photo / Instagram/bree_crawford

A Sydney mum has recounted her 2-year-old's harrowing health scare after a small toy corroded holes in his digestive system.

Bree Davis' youngest son Franklin underwent surgery after swallowing the innocent-looking multi-coloured tiny magnetic balls.

She told 7News the toy had been keeping her three boys entertained for weeks after they found it at a Northern Beaches park.

But things took a dark turn when Franklin stopped eating and drinking, complained of a sore stomach and started vomiting every 30 minutes.

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A post shared by Bree Davis (@bree_crawford)

The family's initials fears of gastro proved to be much worse after the youngster had been to the ER three times in one week.

On his fourth visit, which was actually for a split lip, Franklin said his stomach was hurting once again.

Doctors decided to perform keyhole surgery to inspect the abdominal area, where they made a shocking discovery, Davis explained on Instagram.

The small magnetic balls that Franklin swallowed. Photo / Instagram/bree_crawford

Franklin had swallowed 22 of the magnetic balls, which were located in his small intestine, bowel and digestive tract.

What was meant to be a one-hour surgery quickly turned into three, as doctors removed all of the balls.

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A post shared by Bree Davis (@bree_crawford)

Their magnetic force was so strong that they had been trying to join together in Franklin's body, digging into his organs and causing two holes in his digestive system.

Davis said she had no idea of the danger the toy posed.

She took to Instagram to post a photo of her son alongside a caption which explained how the toys had "done a lot of damage" to his bowel and intestines.

The 22 magnetic balls that were removed from Franklin's body. Photo / Instagram/bree_crawford

"Any parents with young kids, if you have these in your home get rid of them," she wrote.

A few days later she posted another series of images of Franklin saying he was doing well and was eating solid food again.

She praised staff at the hospital for treating her son so quickly.

"We are looking forward to coming home," Davis said.