title: An unusual case of small bowel obstruction in a child caused by ingestion of water-storing gel beads.
abstract: Foreign body ingestion occurs most commonly in the pediatric population. Small bowel obstruction is a rare complication that can occur, and surgical intervention is required. We present the first report of a case of an 18-month-old child with a jejunal obstruction caused by ingestion of water-storing gel beads used for botanical arrangements. The child presented with obstipation and nonbloody, nonbilious emesis. Symptoms resolved after a large bead 3 cm in diameter was retrieved via laparoscopic-assisted excision. This case suggests that water-storing gel beads are particularly dangerous foreign bodies and should be kept out of the reach of children.
authors.affiliation: University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Health Sciences Campus, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
authors.forename: Jane S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bliss
authors.forename: Catherine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006794:Household Articles; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D007579:Jejunal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D007583:Jejunum
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; C016680:polyacrylamide gels