Rio de Janeiro  - A disposable diaper saved the life of an 18-month-old who fell from the third floor of a building in the north-eastern Brazilian city of Recife, local media reported Wednesday.

The boy's diaper got caught on a fence as he fell, and he only hit the ground after the diaper gave way, lessening the impact of the crash.

Brazilian media cited police sources saying the toddler did not suffer any serious injuries, although he did have minor fractures and remained in hospital.

The cause of the toddler's fall was not immediately known. (dpa)