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According to a Nov. 16 statement from the Texas Department of Health, four Texas infants were hospitalized between mid-August and October of this year for an extremely rare disease. The condition? Botulism. And the alleged culprit? Soothers dipped in honey.
Botulism is a disease caused by a toxin that attacks the body's nerves, causing muscle weakness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If the toxin attacks nerves that send signals to the muscles involved in breathing, this can lead to life-threatening breathing problems, says the CDC. [Tiny & Nasty: Images of Things That Make Us Sick]
Botulinum toxins are produced by several species of bacteria.
Bacterial spores of one of these species, called Clostridium botulinum, can be found in honey, according to a Nov. 16 statement from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If these spores are ingested by an infant, they can grow in the baby's intestines and release deadly toxins. For this reason, the FDA, as well as the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, do not recommend feeding honey to infants under one year old, the release said.
Once babies reach the age of 1 year, however, other types of bacteria are present in their gut, and these bacteria can prevent the botulism bacteria from producing toxins, said the service. Texas State Department Health. This means that it is safer to give honey to babies after the age of 1 year.
The four Texas babies had all used honey-covered lollipops bought in Mexico, according to the FDA statement. However, these products are also available online. The FDA recommends that online retailers remove these products and also recommends that health care providers dispose of lollipops filled or dipped in honey, the statement said.
Symptoms of botulism may include double vision, droopy eyelids, difficulty swallowing or breathing, speech problems, and muscle weakness. According to the CDC, symptoms may include low cry, lethargy, constipation, poor diet, and floppy appearance.
Today, botulism is treated with antitoxins, the development of which has greatly improved the prognosis, says the CDC. Indeed, 50 years ago, the disease was much more deadly, according to the CDC: 50 people out of 100 with botulism would die. Today, fewer than five out of every 100 people with botulism die.
Nevertheless, it is extremely important to immediately consult a doctor if botulism is suspected, says the CDC. Indeed, although antitoxins can prevent botulinum toxin from causing further damage to the body, they can not repair the damage already done.
Originally published on Science live.
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