Intestinal obstruction caused by expanding beads

Expanding beads are tiny plastic beads, about 2-5 mm in diameter, in many bright colors, and are quite popular toys. When soaked in water, these beads can swell to tens or even hundreds of times their original size, easily causing intestinal blockage, suffocation, or digestive damage if children accidentally swallow them.

Recently, a 14-month-old boy was rushed to the National Children's Hospital ( Hanoi ) overnight after swallowing several small plastic beads. His mother said that while playing, the boy mistook the beads for candy and put them in his mouth. That night, he vomited frequently and had a distended abdomen.

The foreign objects removed were small plastic particles that swell when they come into contact with water.

PHOTO: BVCC

According to Dr. Nguyen Duc Thuong, Deputy Head of the Intensive Care Surgery Department at the National Children's Hospital, during the surgery, doctors identified four expanding beads in the small intestine, causing complete intestinal obstruction. The surgical team successfully removed all of these beads. Fortunately, the child was diagnosed and operated on in time, so bowel resection was not necessary.

According to Ms. Thuong, expanding beads are actually a type of superabsorbent polymer bead. They are not inherently toxic, but during production, many types are mixed with dyes or chemicals to create color, which can be toxic or irritating to children. Furthermore, due to their strong water absorption capacity, when swallowed, the beads swell in the intestines, easily leading to intestinal obstruction. Parents need to choose safe toys that are age-appropriate and closely monitor young children. If a child accidentally swallows expanding beads, even if they don't show symptoms, parents should still take them to a specialized medical facility for timely treatment.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tac-ruot-do-hat-no-18525111119452919.htm