Honey and Infant Botulism

Infant botulism is a rare but serious condition that affects around 100 infants each year in the United States. Infant botulism occurs when a baby ingests the spores of the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. This bacteria can be found in dirt, dust and even air, and can contaminate honey. Once the baby ingests the bacteria, it produces a toxin inside the body.

Infant botulism causes muscle weakness and breathing problems, and is severe but treatable if symptoms are recognized and treated early. Symptoms usually occur between three and 30 days after consuming the spores, and are most common in infants ranging in age from 3 weeks to 6 months old. There is now an antitoxin sometimes used to treat infant botulism, called Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous, or BIGIV.

Honey is dangerous to young babies under 1 year of age because it is a known source of the bacteria spores that cause infant botulism. Babies older than 1, older kids and adults are able to pass the spores before they do any harm and usually suffer no ill effects from them because their digestive systems are more mature. However, young infants are unable to move the spores, allowing them to germinate, multiply and go on to produce dangerous toxins.

To prevent infant botulism, never give a baby under 1 year of age any honey or honey containing products (such as graham crackers, cereals, etc.). It is also thought that giving a baby under 1 corn syrup may also cause infant botulism. The honey is a confirmed source of the spores that can cause infant botulism, whereas the corn syrup issue has been debated, but always check with your child’s pediatrician before giving the young infant corn syrup for any reason. I find it best to err on the side of caution and avoid both honey and corn syrup for the first year.

More information on infant botulism can be found at kidshealth.org.


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