Infant botulism is an illness that can occur when a newborn ingests bacteria that produce a toxin inside the body. The condition can be frightening because it can cause muscle weakness and breathing problems. But it is very rare: Fewer than 100 cases of infant botulism occur each year in the United States, and most babies who do get botulism recover fully.
Infant botulism is treatable, but because of its severity, it's important to learn the symptoms so you can recognize it early. It's also important to know that honey is a known source of the bacteria spores that cause botulism. For this reason, avoid giving your baby honey.
This illness typically affects babies who are between 3 weeks and 6 months old, but they are susceptible to it until their first birthdays.
About Infant Botulism
Infant botulism can occur when a child ingests Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which are found in dirt and dust and can contaminate honey.
These bacteria are typically harmless to older children and adults because their mature digestive systems can move the bacteria through the body before they cause any harm.
But very young babies haven't developed the ability to handle the bacteria yet. So once an infant ingests them, the bacteria can produce a toxin. That toxin interferes with the normal interaction between the muscles and nerves and can hamper an infant's ability to move, eat, and breathe.
Two other types of botulism tend to affect older children and adults: wound botulism occurs when the bacteria infect a wound and produce the toxin inside of it; food-borne botulism is usually caused by eating home-canned foods that contain the toxin.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of botulism typically appear between 18 and 36 hours after the infant consumes the bacteria. Constipation is often the first symptom of botulism that parents notice. But many other illnesses can also cause constipation. So if your infant has not had a bowel movement in 3 days, it's a good idea to call your child's doctor.
Other symptoms, which tend to occur in the following order, include:
- constipation
- flat facial expression
- poor feeding (weak sucking)
- weak cry
- decreased movement
- trouble swallowing with excessive drooling
- muscle weakness
- breathing problems
Infant botulism can be treated. But it's important to get your child medical care as soon as possible. So if you see warning signs of the illness, call your child's doctor right away.
Treatment
Infant botulism is treated in the hospital, usually in the intensive care unit, where doctors will try to limit the problems the toxin causes in the baby's body. Because the toxin can affect the breathing muscles, for example, doctors may put the infant on a ventilator. Because the toxin can affect the swallowing muscles, they may give the baby intravenous (IV) fluids to provide nourishment.
With proper medical care, the infant will likely fully recover once the effects of the toxin wear off.
Prevention
Like many germs, the bacteria that cause botulism in infants are everywhere in the environment. They're in dust and dirt. They're even in the air. Experts don't know why some infants end up consuming the airborne bacteria and contracting botulism while others don't.
One of the only things you can do to reduce the risk of botulism is to avoid giving your infant honey or corn syrup before his or her first birthday. Honey is a proven source of the bacteria and it has led to botulism in infants who ingested it, while some researchers think that light or dark corn syrups that are not sterilized may also harbor the bacteria spores and could lead to cases of botulism.
Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: April 2005
