Infant botulism syndrome:
Infant botulism syndrome is an infectious neuroparalytic disease that is resulting from the ingestion of spores of “Clostridum botulinsum” which germinates, multiplys and produces botulinal toxin inside the child’s big intestine. It was first described in 1976 and it has now been reported from all inhabited continents except Africa.
As soon as ingested, the disease can be recognized by constipation, whole body weakness, and varied neurological disorders. The infant botulism symptoms normally show up between 16 to 34 hours after the initial exposure. Although most cases of toddler botulism do need hospital care – don’t dispair, with fashionable medication, they are not fatal in most cases.
Infant Botulism:
Honey, in its purest form seems harmless. In fact, many people believe that honey is healthy – and in many aspects it is. They also feel the same about corn syrup, which is also natural. In some cases, however, these seemingly healthy foods are deadly. Honey and Corn Syrup can turn into infant botulism.
What is Infant Botulism?
The National Center for Biotechnology Information, in Bethesda, Maryland, describes infant botulism as ‘a potentially life threatening disease in which the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum grows within the baby’s gastrointestinal tract.’ Clostridium Botulinum is an organism that forms spores. These spores are then found in soil, in honey, and in corn syrup.
One of the biggest risks for acquiring infant botulism is to swallow honey if the child is between the ages of six weeks and six months old. A child is also at risk if he or she comes into close contact with contaminated soil, and if he or she only has one bowel movement each day for longer than two months.
Many breastfeeding mothers worry about ingesting honey themselves, and then passing the spores on to the child through breast milk. According to the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, which is a division of Communicable Disease Control through the California Department of Public Health, the botulism spores cannot be passed to the child through breast milk, and it is perfectly safe for the mother to consume honey and breast feed her child.
The Symptoms of Infant Botulism:
The symptoms of infant botulism are fairly straightforward and easy to identify. The child will most likely be constipated, and the gag reflex will be stopped. The child’s breathing will definitely change, and it usually slows, but it can stop altogether. The eyelids will be saggy or closed, and the infant will appear to be limp. Infant botulism causes paralysis that starts at the top of the body and works its way down. The baby will be constantly tired, and the cry will be very weak. Your doctor will perform an examination and note any decrease in muscle tone. The gag reflex will also be tested. A stool sample will most likely be taken, and an EMG, or Electromyography will most likely be performed to distinguish between a muscle problem or a neurological problem.
Treatment and Prevention for Infant Botulism:
Most infants with infant botulism respond well to Botulism Immune Globulin. This treatment is delivered in the hospital, but the treatment seems to make the hospital stay much shorter, and the illness less severe. During treatment, hospitalization is required because medical professionals need to ensure that the child is receiving proper nutrition, that the child is not experiencing breathing problems, and that the airway stays completely clear.
Antibiotics typically are not used for infant botulism because this type of medication does not help the situation. In some instances, human derived bolulinum antitoxin may be used with some success.
The biggest fear in infant botulism is the development of breathing difficulties that can easily occur. It is not uncommon for a child to need help using mechanical ventilation. Essentially, your child would have to be put on life support if this happens, but with fast and efficient treatment, the child should be able to breath on his one once the botulism is under control.
In terms of prevention of infant botulism, you should of course avoid feeding your child honey or corn syrup. However, there is no evidence to date that packaged or manufactured foods that contain honey or corn syrup pose any danger of infant botulism for your child. You should also keep your infant away from soil for the first six months of life as an added precaution against infant botulism. Only 5% of the infant botulism cases reported each year come from exposure to honey. The other 95% of the cases are due to exposure to contaminated soil.
Infant botulism syndrome is an infectious neuroparalytic disease that is resulting from the ingestion of spores of “Clostridum botulinsum” which germinates, multiplys and produces botulinal toxin inside the child’s big intestine. It was first described in 1976 and it has now been reported from all inhabited continents except Africa.
As soon as ingested, the disease can be recognized by constipation, whole body weakness, and varied neurological disorders. The infant botulism symptoms normally show up between 16 to 34 hours after the initial exposure. Although most cases of toddler botulism do need hospital care – don’t dispair, with fashionable medication, they are not fatal in most cases.
Infant Botulism:
Honey, in its purest form seems harmless. In fact, many people believe that honey is healthy – and in many aspects it is. They also feel the same about corn syrup, which is also natural. In some cases, however, these seemingly healthy foods are deadly. Honey and Corn Syrup can turn into infant botulism.
What is Infant Botulism?
The National Center for Biotechnology Information, in Bethesda, Maryland, describes infant botulism as ‘a potentially life threatening disease in which the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum grows within the baby’s gastrointestinal tract.’ Clostridium Botulinum is an organism that forms spores. These spores are then found in soil, in honey, and in corn syrup.
One of the biggest risks for acquiring infant botulism is to swallow honey if the child is between the ages of six weeks and six months old. A child is also at risk if he or she comes into close contact with contaminated soil, and if he or she only has one bowel movement each day for longer than two months.
Many breastfeeding mothers worry about ingesting honey themselves, and then passing the spores on to the child through breast milk. According to the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, which is a division of Communicable Disease Control through the California Department of Public Health, the botulism spores cannot be passed to the child through breast milk, and it is perfectly safe for the mother to consume honey and breast feed her child.
The Symptoms of Infant Botulism:
The symptoms of infant botulism are fairly straightforward and easy to identify. The child will most likely be constipated, and the gag reflex will be stopped. The child’s breathing will definitely change, and it usually slows, but it can stop altogether. The eyelids will be saggy or closed, and the infant will appear to be limp. Infant botulism causes paralysis that starts at the top of the body and works its way down. The baby will be constantly tired, and the cry will be very weak. Your doctor will perform an examination and note any decrease in muscle tone. The gag reflex will also be tested. A stool sample will most likely be taken, and an EMG, or Electromyography will most likely be performed to distinguish between a muscle problem or a neurological problem.
Treatment and Prevention for Infant Botulism:
Most infants with infant botulism respond well to Botulism Immune Globulin. This treatment is delivered in the hospital, but the treatment seems to make the hospital stay much shorter, and the illness less severe. During treatment, hospitalization is required because medical professionals need to ensure that the child is receiving proper nutrition, that the child is not experiencing breathing problems, and that the airway stays completely clear.
Antibiotics typically are not used for infant botulism because this type of medication does not help the situation. In some instances, human derived bolulinum antitoxin may be used with some success.
The biggest fear in infant botulism is the development of breathing difficulties that can easily occur. It is not uncommon for a child to need help using mechanical ventilation. Essentially, your child would have to be put on life support if this happens, but with fast and efficient treatment, the child should be able to breath on his one once the botulism is under control.
In terms of prevention of infant botulism, you should of course avoid feeding your child honey or corn syrup. However, there is no evidence to date that packaged or manufactured foods that contain honey or corn syrup pose any danger of infant botulism for your child. You should also keep your infant away from soil for the first six months of life as an added precaution against infant botulism. Only 5% of the infant botulism cases reported each year come from exposure to honey. The other 95% of the cases are due to exposure to contaminated soil.
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