Queensland health authorities are warning as many as 200 children could have pieces of wire lodged near their hearts, after a failure with surgical equipment.
Queensland Health is asking parents whose children have recently undergone surgery involving a device known as a peripheral inserted central catheter line to ring a hotline.
The number is 1800 509 220.
Queensland's chief health officer Jeannette Young says while the wire is not life-threatening, it's important parents come forward as soon as possible.
The catheters are inserted through the arm to the heart .. to deliver antibiotics and other drugs .. and have been used in hospitals since September 2007.
Their use has now been stopped pending an investigation.
Dr Young says a small number of cases have been found at Townsville Hospital where part of a wire used to insert the device was left behind in child patients.
Dr Young says so far two children have had the wire removed successfully without any adverse consequences .. and three others are being followed up.
Other cases have also been identified at the Royal Children's and Mater Children's hospitals in Brisbane.
Dr Young says about 200 children could potentially be affected and will all be x-rayed and if necessary a procedure will be carried out to remove the wire.