Infant Botulism and Baby Forumla
A study published in the current, March 2010 Journal of Pediatrics calls for a large sampling study of powdered infant formula to look for neurotoxin-producing Clostridium spores that could pose a health risk for infants.
A summary of the study says California investigators analyzed 30 samples of baby formula ingested by infants diagnosed with infant botulism. Seventeen samples contained clostridial spores and 78 percent of nine containers of powdered formula purchased at stores contained the spores.
None was Clostridium botulinum (C botulinum), the most dangerous type, but the species of spores recovered have similar environmental distribution as C botulinum, the summary of the study said.
Infant botulism is the intestinal toxemia form of botulism. It is most commonly caused by unavoidable exposure to spores in dust or soil that can overcome a baby's undeveloped immune system. Honey has been known as a carrier of the spores and that is why it shouldn't be fed to children under 1.
Clostridia can cluster and produce toxin that causes paralysis, a need for ventilation and even death. Researchers believe some SIDS deaths are actually caused by botulism. Milder symptoms of botulism include constipation, a weak cry and lethargy.
This is certainly not the first time health investigators have expressed concern over Botulism from baby food, In fact, the study was undertaken because of a recent case of C botulinum poisoning in the United Kingdom where C botulinum was recovered from a container of forumula in the sickened infant's home.
"The report... suggests that a large sampling study of powdered infant formula for neurotoxin-producing Clostridium species should be performed to assess whether formula poses a health risk for infants,'' Dr. Sarah S. Long wrote in the study summary.
