HEALTH

Buckyballs swallowed by Oregon toddler, originally thought to have flu

March 7, 2012 - 09:00 am

A 3-year-old girl who presented flu-like symptoms was actually found to have swallowed more than three dozen small "Buckyballs," a small magnetic toy, MSNBC reports.

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The small, magnetic 'Buckyballs' are not recommended for kids under 13 years old. (Photo: Flickr/Thorius)

As originally reported on MSNBC.com, Payton Bushnell, an Oregon toddler, was taken to a doctor by her parents after complaining of flu-like symptoms in late February.

A chest X-ray, though, revealed that the young girl had swallowed 37 "Buckyballs," which were lodged in her intestines. Buckyballs are advertised as a set of small magnets which can be molded into any shape.

A warning label on the box cautions that the magnets should not be swallowed since they could stick to a person's intestines. The toy is recommended for children aged 13 and up.

Meanwhile, MSNBC says that Bushnell is in good condition and is expected to fully recover. In a statement on its website, the maker of Buckyballs, Maxfield & Oberton Holdings, said that the incident "underscores the fact that Buckyballs and Buckycubes are for adults."

READ MORE at MSNBC.com.

Short URL: http://wj.la/xOcaRP
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