Bindeez Beads – Warning about potential poisoning risk in children – November 2007

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You will have heard about the national recall of the children's toy, Bindeez beads due to recent cases of serious health effects in children who have swallowed these beads.

Bindeez beads are a popular children's toy that consists of numerous small plastic beads that when placed together and sprayed with water join together permanently in the designated shape.

Two children, aged 2 years and 10 years were recently admitted to ICU at Westmead Children's Hospital (NSW), in or close to coma.  Investigation has found that the children had large amounts of gamma-hydroxybutyrate ("GHB"; the "date rape" drug) in their bodies. Both children had consumed a large quantity of "Bindeez Beads".

The beads consumed by the first child were analysed and found to contain the chemical 1,4 butanediol. This chemical is metabolised to 4 hydroxybutyrate (also known as gamma-hydroxybutyrate) in the body.

Clinical features of GHB

Upon ingestion, an individual (child or adult) with gamma-hydroxybutyrate poisoning may present with the following symptoms within 1 – 6 hours post ingestion:

• Early headache +/- vomiting
• Confusion and drowsiness
• Ataxia
• Seizure activity
• Decreased level of consciousness
• Loss of protective airway reflexes requiring endotracheal intubation and ventilation

Case Management

If you see any child that you think may have been affected by this product please refer the child to hospital.

The 'Information for general practitioners national fact sheet' contains further advice.

Case notification in Victoria

If you see any cases that are potentially related to the swallowing of this product, please notify the Environmental Health Unit, Public Health Branch, Department of Human Services on 1300 761 874.

Advice from Consumer Affairs Victoria

For information or advice about the recall in Victoria go to the Consumer Affairs Victorian website at www.consumer.vic.gov.au

Yours sincerely

Dr John Carnie
Chief Health Officer

Downloads

Bindeez beads – Information for Hospital Emergency Departments and Intensive Care Units – 7 November 2007 (61kb, pdf)

Bindeez beads - Alert for Victorian General Practitioners (letter) – 8 November 2007 (119kb, pdf)

Bindeez beads – Information for General Practitioners (national fact sheet) – November 2007 

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