Superabsorbent polymers beads ingestion: Retrospective study in France

Summary Introduction Cases of ingestion of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) marketed as ornamental products and toys are increasingly reported. Objective The objectives of this study were to describe the trend and outcome of SAPs beads ingestion in France. Methods We conducted a retrospective descriptive study over a 10-year period of all cases of SAPs beads ingestion collected by the French Poison Control Centers. Results In total, 193 cases of SAPs bead ingestion were collected, 90% of whom among children (median 30 months). More than 75% of cases were asymptomatic while the remaining cases exhibited minor/mild gastrointestinal symptoms. The outcome was spontaneously favorable in all cases except for one fatality in a 18-month-old girl who developed bowel obstruction. Conclusions SAPs beads ingestions were mostly asymptomatic but could be responsible for fatal bowel obstruction in children, related to the increase in SAPs beads size within the intestinal tract. The diagnosis was made difficult by SAPs radiolucent properties. SAPs bead ingestion should be considered by practitioners as a possible cause of obstruction with no foreign body found.