Severe forms of newborn and infant botulism: three recent case reports and guidelines for management

Abstract

Botulism rarely involves young children. Food borne botulism is a direct toxin contamination that can affect infants following the ingestion of a food product contaminated by botulinum toxin. Infant botulism occurs after intestinal colonisation by Clostridium botulinium and secondary toxin production in children less than 12 months of age. Both forms lead to a presynaptic blockage of the neuromuscular junction. In its natural course, the disease ultimately resolves completely, but some patients will require ventilatory and nutritional support, thus experiencing intensive care complications. Early administration of intravenous antitoxin has been proved to accelerate recovery, which requires physicians to be aware of this rare disease. Here we report three recent cases of botulism in young children that are especially relevant, and propose guidelines to optimise diagnosis and treatment.