Absorbent articles containing superabsorbent material which has a delayed activation time

An absorbent structure in an absorbent article, such as a diaper, incontinence guard, or sanitary napkin, the structure comprises:

• hydrophilic fibers;
• particles of a superabsorbent material;
• and
• a front and a back part and a crotch part located therebetween, said crotch part having a wetting region to which a major part of discharged fluid is directed;
• wherein at least some of the superabsorbent particles are encased in a material that will only be penetrated slowly by the discharged fluid to be absorbed, so that the at least some superabsorbent particles have a delayed activation time and will not begin to absorb the discharged fluid and swell to any greater extent until the encapsulating material has been penetrated by the fluid, wherein the at least some superabsorbent particles having delayed activation time are localized generally in the wetting region of said structure, and that a remainder of the superabsorbent particles, i.e., which are not encapsulated, are localized primarily in parts of the structure that are located outside said wetting region.