What is infant botulism?Updated 3 hours ago

Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The bacteria are found naturally in the environment—in places like soil, dust, and some vegetables. International food safety authorities have concluded that C. botulinum is not a risk in powdered infant formula because of strict hygiene controls and the very low chance of spores being present.

Signs and symptoms of infant botulism can include: constipation, poor feeding, ptosis (drooping eyelid), sluggish pupils, low muscle tone, difficulty sucking and swallowing, weak or altered cry, generalized weakness, respiratory difficulty, and possibly respiratory arrest. If you’re concerned that your baby is experiencing any of these symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately.