Superabsorbent polymer beads ingestion by children: a single-center retrospective study of 11 cases

OBJECTIVES: Ingestion of superabsorbent polymer beads (SAPBs) poses a unique and serious risk of intestinal obstruction in young children due to their rapid expansion within the gastrointestinal tract. Data regarding the ingestion of SAPBs remain scarce, with the existing literature primarily drawn from isolated case reports. This study retrospectively reviewed cases of SAPBs ingestion in pediatric patients treated at our institution to summarize clinical characteristics and share management experience. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records for patients aged < 18 years who presented to our hospital due to SAPBs ingestion between September 2018 and September 2025. Demographic information, clinical presentation, imaging findings, treatment modalities, and complications were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Eleven patients (7 males, 4 females) met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The median age was 1 year 4 months. The median time from ingestion to presentation was 12 h (range, 2–48), and from ingestion to symptom onset was 5 h (range, 2–24). The most common presenting symptoms were vomiting (6/11), fever (5/11), and irritability (4/11); abdominal distension was noted in 3 patients (27%). Three patients remained asymptomatic throughout. Computed Tomography (CT) and ultrasound were useful for diagnosis in 5/7 and 2/3 cases, respectively. SAPBs were commonly located in the duodenal ascending segment (n = 2) and ileum (n = 2). Management included laparotomy with transmural fragmentation (3/11), gastroduodenoscopy with intraluminal fragmentation (1/11), gastroduodenoscopy converted laparotomy with fragmentation (1/11), gastroduodenoscopy only (3/11) and enemas only (3/11). Complications included intestinal obstruction (5/11), elevated liver enzymes, anemia, and headache (1 each). CONCLUSION: Ingestion of SAPBs can lead to significant morbidity in children, often requiring endoscopic or surgical intervention. In our small series, for expanded SAPBs accessible during laparotomy, manual fragmentation and advancement into the colon for subsequent transanal expulsion allowed us to avoid enterotomy in selected cases. CT and ultrasound are valuable for diagnosis. Enhanced public awareness and stricter product regulations may help reduce the occurrence of such accidental injuries.