Orbeez ingestion can mimic duplication cysts as a cause of pediatric small bowel obstruction

Abstract

Foreign body ingestion poses significant morbidity to the pediatric patient population, but the threat of the foreign body ingested varies based on the object type as some are inherently more dangerous than others. A newer toy marketed towards young children known as Orbeez is a superabsorbent polymer sphere shaped toy ball that expands in size when introduced to water or other liquids. While the company's consumer report suggests these objects are safe if ingested, we describe a unique case of Orbeez ingestion-associated small bowel obstruction that necessitated operative intervention. Additionally, imaging and clinical presentation of the patient was consistent with duplication cysts of the small intestine, rather than foreign body ingestion, which unnecessarily led to a higher morbidity procedure to manage the patient's presentation. Based on this case report and the small amount of literature that currently exists around Orbeez, we conclude that the company should consider amending their consumer report warning appropriately and modify their product to make it safer for the population they market their product towards.

Keywords

• Pediatric small bowel obstruction
• Small bowel obstruction
• Pediatric foreign body ingestion
• Foreign body ingestion
• Foreign body
• Orbeez