Bowel obstruction following ingestion of superabsorbent polymers beads: literature review.

Ingestion of superabsorbent polymer-made beads can be responsible for fatal bowel obstruction in children related to the increase in bead size within the intestinal tract. Diagnosis is made difficult by the radiolucent properties of the beads. The management of bowel obstruction probably most often requires endoscopic or surgical procedures. Children under 4 years of age are probably the most at risk of developing bowel obstruction.