Unpacking the dangers of super absorbent polymer water beads: an in vitro analysis
ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the risk of pediatric bowel obstruction from various types of super absorbent polymer (SAP) beads in different liquid media, explore treatment options, and develop a clinical decision-making algorithm for healthcare providers.MethodsThree experiments were con...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Pediatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1477506/full |
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| author | Jack J. Hachem Jack J. Hachem Javier Monagas Javier Monagas Ankona Banerjee Robert A. Noel Robert A. Noel |
| author_facet | Jack J. Hachem Jack J. Hachem Javier Monagas Javier Monagas Ankona Banerjee Robert A. Noel Robert A. Noel |
| author_sort | Jack J. Hachem |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the risk of pediatric bowel obstruction from various types of super absorbent polymer (SAP) beads in different liquid media, explore treatment options, and develop a clinical decision-making algorithm for healthcare providers.MethodsThree experiments were conducted involving the measurement of SAP beads' expansion in different liquid media. The first experiment examined the expansion of beads in tap water, gastric fluid, and small intestine fluid. The second compared the expansion of beads from six manufacturers in water. The third tested the effect of varying concentrations of Polyethylene Glycol 3350 on bead expansion.ResultsThe study found that SAP beads reached their largest size in water, with significant size-dependent and solution-specific effects on their expansion. Large beads had a β of 12.67 (95% CI: 10.25–15.1; p < 0.001) compared to small beads. Gastric acid reduced expansion with a β of −7.01 (95% CI: −9.67 to 4.35; p < 0.001) and alkaline solution with a β of −3.88 (95% CI: −6.54 to 1.23; p = 0.002) compared to water. Treatment solutions containing high concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 effectively reduced the size of the beads (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThis research highlights the importance of understanding the characteristics and risks associated with SAP beads to mitigate the dangers they pose to pediatric populations. Our findings underscore the need for standardized management of SAP bead ingestion, which could improve patient outcomes while reducing unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Further research and clinical validation of these strategies in vivo are essential to develop safe and efficient protocols for managing SAP bead ingestions |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a127f07844534547a4e0bac35c1005a3 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-2360 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-a127f07844534547a4e0bac35c1005a32025-08-20T02:56:48ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602025-03-011310.3389/fped.2025.14775061477506Unpacking the dangers of super absorbent polymer water beads: an in vitro analysisJack J. Hachem0Jack J. Hachem1Javier Monagas2Javier Monagas3Ankona Banerjee4Robert A. Noel5Robert A. Noel6Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine, Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United StatesDepartment of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United StatesDepartment of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine, Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United StatesDepartment of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United StatesDepartment of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United StatesDepartment of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine, Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United StatesDepartment of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United StatesObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the risk of pediatric bowel obstruction from various types of super absorbent polymer (SAP) beads in different liquid media, explore treatment options, and develop a clinical decision-making algorithm for healthcare providers.MethodsThree experiments were conducted involving the measurement of SAP beads' expansion in different liquid media. The first experiment examined the expansion of beads in tap water, gastric fluid, and small intestine fluid. The second compared the expansion of beads from six manufacturers in water. The third tested the effect of varying concentrations of Polyethylene Glycol 3350 on bead expansion.ResultsThe study found that SAP beads reached their largest size in water, with significant size-dependent and solution-specific effects on their expansion. Large beads had a β of 12.67 (95% CI: 10.25–15.1; p < 0.001) compared to small beads. Gastric acid reduced expansion with a β of −7.01 (95% CI: −9.67 to 4.35; p < 0.001) and alkaline solution with a β of −3.88 (95% CI: −6.54 to 1.23; p = 0.002) compared to water. Treatment solutions containing high concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 effectively reduced the size of the beads (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThis research highlights the importance of understanding the characteristics and risks associated with SAP beads to mitigate the dangers they pose to pediatric populations. Our findings underscore the need for standardized management of SAP bead ingestion, which could improve patient outcomes while reducing unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Further research and clinical validation of these strategies in vivo are essential to develop safe and efficient protocols for managing SAP bead ingestionshttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1477506/fullpediatric bowel obstructionforeign body ingestionssuper absorbent polymer beadswater beadspolyethylene glycol 3350 |
| spellingShingle | Jack J. Hachem Jack J. Hachem Javier Monagas Javier Monagas Ankona Banerjee Robert A. Noel Robert A. Noel Unpacking the dangers of super absorbent polymer water beads: an in vitro analysis Frontiers in Pediatrics pediatric bowel obstruction foreign body ingestions super absorbent polymer beads water beads polyethylene glycol 3350 |
| title | Unpacking the dangers of super absorbent polymer water beads: an in vitro analysis |
| title_full | Unpacking the dangers of super absorbent polymer water beads: an in vitro analysis |
| title_fullStr | Unpacking the dangers of super absorbent polymer water beads: an in vitro analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unpacking the dangers of super absorbent polymer water beads: an in vitro analysis |
| title_short | Unpacking the dangers of super absorbent polymer water beads: an in vitro analysis |
| title_sort | unpacking the dangers of super absorbent polymer water beads an in vitro analysis |
| topic | pediatric bowel obstruction foreign body ingestions super absorbent polymer beads water beads polyethylene glycol 3350 |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1477506/full |
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