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[Infantile botulism caused by honey]
1H:S Rigshospitalet, Juliane Marie Centret, børneafdelingen.
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|May 31, 2001
Insights
A 5-week-old infant experienced respiratory arrest after consuming honey, diagnosed as infant botulism. This severe condition, caused by Clostridium botulinum toxin, required prolonged mechanical ventilation for 7.5 months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Toxicology
Background:
- Infant botulism is a rare but serious neuroparalytic illness caused by the toxin of Clostridium botulinum.
- Honey is a known source of Clostridium botulinum spores, posing a risk to infants under one year of age.
Observation:
- A 5-week-old infant presented with acute respiratory arrest.
- The infant's diet included honey for two weeks prior to admission.
- Clinical suspicion of infant botulism was raised due to the presentation and history.
Findings:
- Laboratory confirmation of infant botulism was established.
- Clostridium botulinum toxin was detected in the infant's serum and fecal samples.
- The suspected source, honey, also tested positive for Clostridium botulinum toxin.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing infant botulism.
- This case highlights the importance of avoiding honey in the diet of infants due to botulism risk.
- Prolonged ventilatory support may be necessary in severe cases, emphasizing the potential long-term impact.
Abstract:
We report a case of a 5-week-old infant admitted with respiratory arrest. He had been fed with honey for two weeks. Infant botulism was suspected and confirmed by the finding of Clostridium botulinum toxin in the serum and faeces, and in the honey. The infant needed 7.5 months of ventilatory support.