A fluid-absorbent article includes an upper liquid-pervious layer (A), a lower liquid-impervious layer (B), a fluid-absorbent core (C) between (A) and (B) including at least 60% by weight of non-surface postcrosslinked fluid-absorbent polymer particles and not more than 40% by weight of fibrous material, based on the sum of non-surface postcrosslinked fluid-absorbent polymer particles and fibrous material. An acquisition-distribution layer (D) between (A) and (C) includes at least 90% by weight of synthetic fibers and not more than 10% by weight of cellulose based fibers, based on the sum of synthetic fibers and cellulose based fibers. The basis weight of the acquisition-distribution layer (D) is at least 70 gsm. The fluid-absorbent polymer particles have a saline flow conductivity (SFC) of less than 5×10−7 cm3s/g and an AUHL of less than 15 g/g. Preferably the acquisition-distribution layer (D) is a non-woven web including a three dimensional network of fibers.