Infant Botulism Case Study

Based on what seems to be the nervous system symptoms of the 11-week-old infant, my suspicion is that the infant has Infant Botulism, which is an illness that affects infants from 3 weeks up until 6 months of age. American Family Physician mentions that about 90 percent of infants with botulism are younger than six months. Infant botulism is acquired by swallowing botulism spores and is potentially life-threatening. These spores are from a bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum, which is found in dirt and dust and can also contaminate honey, as Kid’s Health states. According to Dr. Greene, Botulinum toxin is the most poisonous natural substance known to man. The lethal dose is only 0.0000001 mg per kg of body weight. Kid’s Health also states that because young babies haven't developed the ability to handle the spores yet, if an infant ingests them, the bacteria germinate, multiply, and produce a toxin and it interferes with the normal interaction between the muscles and nerves and can hamper an infant's ability to move, eat, and breathe. Therefore, this same …show more content…
Infants that receive this treatment have shorter hospital stays and less severe illness. They also note that with early detection and treatment, the child usually makes a full recovery. Death or permanent disability may result in complicated cases. American Family Physician mentions that although the worldwide incidence of infant botulism is rare, the majority of cases are diagnosed in the United States. As of 1996, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has documented more than 1,400 cases. Dr. Greene states that the fatality rate for babies who have been hospitalized with botulism is less than 1%. That being said, it’s safe to say that it is a treatable illness if it’s correctly diagnosed and found in time, but children under a year must not consume honey in order to prevent the illness from