CASE REPORT: ACUTE SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION IN A TODDLER DUE TO WATER-ABSORBING BEADS:

This case report describes a 21-month-old boy who presented with recurrent non-bilious vomiting and poor oral intake, later diagnosed with acute small bowel obstruction caused by the ingestion of water-absorbing beads. The obstruction required exploratory laparotomy for removal of the beads. The case highlights the risks associated with these objects in pediatric populations and emphasizes the importance of thorough history-taking in such scenarios.