Whats up, doc?
April 2025
RISKS OF WATER BEAD INGESTION in Pediatrics, vol 155, issue 2, Feb 2025 pg.58. Here is a new hazard for informed parent readers as Haugen et al describes the risks of water bead ingestion.
“Water beads consist of water-absorbent polymers made of polyacrylamide that can expand from -0.2 to 56 mm in diameter in the gastrointestinal tract or other orifices, causing obstruction, tissue perforation, and death. Water beads are marketed as sensory-based therapies for children with autism and sensory processing disorders, as toys, or to maintain moisture in garden planters. Haugen et al presents a case of a child who developed a small bowel obstruction. The surgical specimens included ‘pint-red fragments of firm gelatinous water bead’ materials. After recovery, the child, who previously had exhibited normal developmental milestones, developed neurologic features consistent with acrylamide toxicity. “
Children who ingest multiple water beads are at increased risk because multiple beads can clump together and form a gelatinous intestinal bezoar.
Bezoars growing to more than 2 cm in diameter can lead to possible obstruction. Prompt evaluation with ultrasound can help identify if endoscopic or operative management is warranted.”
What will we be alerting you to next? We will keep a close eye on the pediatric medical literature for unexpected hazards.
On another topic, but of equal importance, Sarah Weas, MSN, MPH et al published an article in Pediatrics, vol 155, issue 2, Feb.2025 pg. 48. ADHD PRESCRIPTION PATTERNS: PAYING ATTENTION TO TRENDS. This article addresses the limited availability of medication for the ADHD patient. It shows the devastating impact on the child who needs the medication to achieve scholastic goals and behavioral control.
The ADD or ADHD child untreated leads to behavioral and academic failures. The hassle that parents are subjected to, going from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the needed medication, is beyond belief.
I must say from the pediatrician’s point of view, the parent who refuses to give their ADHD handicapped child the medication he needs to succeed borders on child abuse. This is coupled with the fact that the child has been carefully and completely evaluated and diagnosed with ADD or ADHD.
My experience provides me with the following scenario too frequently. The student with D’s and F’s in junior high is started on appropriate medication for ADHD. He improves his scholastic performance to A and B level, only to have the parents stop giving the medication. A friend has told them it can be harmful. With the meds stopped low grades and inappropriate classroom behavior returns. Despite this, the parents refuse to resume the medication.
This to me is the most unfortunate situation from the point of view of the child as well as the pediatrician. A child’s future is seriously affected and in time he may turn to self-medication with dangerous street drugs.
Wake up parents. Don’t risk your child’s future on the disinformation spread by relatives, friends or neighbors. Value the opinion of your pediatrician who has conducted a thorough evaluation, is educated and experienced in the treatment of ADD/ADHD. And continue on the successful medication therapy.