Influencer breaks her spine attempting popular online challenge just weeks after giving birth

A Russian social media star was almost left paralysed last week, after taking part in a potentially-fatal online stunt.

Known as the 'Stiletto Challenge', the dangerous task sees users attempting to balance upon a series of items whilst wearing a pair of super high heels and striking a pose, all the while Nicki Minaj's 'High School' anthem plays in the background.

Hundreds of risk-takers have jumped on the controversial band-wagon - despite health experts having issued severe warnings against doing so.

One of these individuals is influencer Mariana Barutkina, a Russian internet star who recently welcomed her first child.

Minutes after trying her hand at the 'Stiletto Challenge,' however, the mum was rushed to hospital, having toppled off her kitchen counter and breaking her spine.

Sharing a video of the heart-stopping moment on Instagram last week (1 Aug), Barutkina penned in the caption: "I decided to start blogging, and here I am leaving the doctor diagnosed with Th9 compression bending uncomplicated fracture of the body."

She went on to joke, however: "The irony? Karma? Or just life, which always tests our strength at the most unexpected moment."

In the clip, the mum could be seen balancing on a tub of baby formula - having already tried to use a saucepan - that had been placed onto the counter of her kitchen. Several seconds later, she can be seen edging backwards with her right foot slipping.

The clip then cuts out as the star hits the floor below.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the nature of Barutkina's injury describes a breakage to her vertebra (a bone in your spine).

A compression fracture - which becomes increasingly more likely as a person ages - sees this bone collapsing once broken. Over time, this injury could, in the worst cases, result in the curvature or collapse of the spine altogether.

Despite the extreme nature of her trip to the hospital, Barutkina has seemingly seen the funny side to her online escapades.

In a follow-up Instagram post, the mum wrote: "Because of one video, which was unsuccessfully filmed, I woke up a popular person. More than 50 people sent me my reel from different publications today..."

She went on to write: "Even [Alyona] Vodonaeva [a Russian actress] herself put me up - People, thank you for your popularity, for your concerns and for your comments. I’m doing great, following the guidelines and now living in 'star' status."

The star also insisted, however: "P.S. There will be no reports and communication with journalists!"

She lastly added: "Whoever worries about my child is also calm, he has two nannies and while I was filming one of them was with him."