Small Bowel Obstruction in a 13-month-old Child Following Ingestion of Expanding Water-Absorbing Recreational Beads

Introduction

Foreign body ingestion in paediatrics is a common problem with increasing frequency and augmented associated complications in recent years (Speidel AJ et al., BMC Pediatr. 2020 Dec 18;20(1):560). While the vast majority of cases are resolved uneventfully, ingestion of some materials, e. g., sharp objects, multiple magnets, button batteries, and objects with a diameter greater than 2.5 cm, can cause serious problems. (Anderson JE et al., J Pediatr Surg. 2015 Aug;50 (8):1413–4).

Superabsorbent gel beads are marketed as non-toxic, harmless, recreational objects for the use of watering plants and as components of many different children’s toys. Optically they resemble candy or other sweets because of their various colours and therefore attract children’s attention. Usually, they are less than a few millimetres in diameter when in non-swollen condition, but can reach a size up to 4.5 centimetres after water uptake (Fuger M et al., Arch Pediatr. 2018 Feb;25(2):136–138). In recent years several case reports have described negative health outcomes in children following ingestion of these beads (Caré W et al., Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2022 Feb;60(2):159–167).

We describe herein a case of a 13-month-old child who developed a mechanical small bowel obstruction after ingestion of two water-absorbing beads, necessitating open surgical removal of the foreign bodies.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
18. April 2023