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Infant botulism presenting with poor feeding and lethargy: a review of 4 cases

Michael R Clemmens1, Laurel Bell

  • 1Anne Arundel Medical Center, George Washington University School of Medicine, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA. mclemmens@aahs.org

Pediatric Emergency Care
|August 2, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Infant botulism, a rare cause of infant hypotonia, presents with poor feeding and lethargy. Early diagnosis and treatment with botulism immune globulin lead to full recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Infant botulism is a rare neuroparalytic illness caused by Clostridium botulinum toxin.
  • Hypotonia in infants can stem from various causes, making diagnosis challenging.

Observation:

  • Four cases of infant botulism presented to community hospitals with poor feeding and lethargy.
  • Symptoms mimicked sepsis and intussusception, leading to delayed diagnosis in some instances.
  • Three infants required mechanical ventilation due to respiratory compromise.

Findings:

  • All four patients received botulism immune globulin treatment.
  • Complete recovery was achieved in all cases following treatment.
  • The study highlights the importance of considering infant botulism in the differential diagnosis of hypotonia.

Implications:

  • Early recognition and prompt administration of botulism immune globulin are crucial for favorable outcomes.
  • Increased awareness among healthcare providers can improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce morbidity.
  • This case series underscores the treatability of infant botulism with timely intervention.

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