Infant botulism is a rare but serious gastrointestinal condition caused by exposure to Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum) spores.
Bacteria from the spores can grow and multiply in a baby’s intestines, producing a dangerous toxin.
What causes it?
Infants can ingest spores from:
Honey (the most well-known source)
Dust or soil (less common but possible)
Don’t give your child honey until they are more than one year old !!!
Sometimes honey can contain bacteria that produce toxins that can cause muscle weakness and breathing problems.
Why does it affect babies under one year? This is because, in adults and older children, there are natural defenses in our intestines that prevent these spores from germinating into bacteria.
Symptoms:
Symptoms often develop gradually over several days:
Constipation (often the first sign)
Weak cry
Poor feeding or sucking
Floppy movements (“floppy baby”)
Droopy eyelids
Difficulty breathing in severe cases & treatment
Diagnosed through clinical signs and stool testing
Treated in hospital, often with botulism immune globulin (BIG-IV)
Supportive care (sometimes including breathing support)
Most infants recover fully with proper care, but it can take weeks to months.
Prevention
To prevent this risk, do not feed honey to babies under one year.
Avoid exposure to contaminated dust/soil when possible.