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Botulism and Infant Botulism, Pediatric

Jessica M. Khouri, MD and Stephen S. Arnon, MD, MPH Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • An acute illness caused by neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum or related neurotoxigenic species, which results in cranial nerve palsies and a symmetric, descending, flacci...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • IB

    • Symptoms include constipation, poor feeding/poor latch, diminished facial expression, droopy eyelids, difficulty swallowing, and generalized weakness.

    • Fever is typically absent (barr...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Patients with suspected botulism should be hospitalized and have continuous monitoring of heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygenation, as well as frequent assessment of res...

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

  • IB has an estimated mortality rate of <1% in hospitalized patients. Complete recovery can be expected when the disease is recognized early and treated appropriately.

  • The mortal...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Arnon SS, Schechter R, Maslanka SE, et al. Human botulism immune globulin for the treatment of infant botulism. N Engl J Med.  2006;354(5):462–471. [View Abstract on OvidInsigh...

CODES

ICD9

  • 005.1 Botulism food poisoning

  • 040.41 Infant botulism

  • 040.42 Wound botulism

ICD10

  • A05.1 Botulism food poisoning

  • A48.51 Infant botulism

  • A48.52 Wound botulism

SNOMED

  • 398565003 Infection due to clostrid...

FAQ

  • Q: Can IB recur?

  • A: True recurrence of IB has not been documented.

  • Q: Should antitoxin be given to persons who have ingested food that they think might be contaminated with botulinum toxin (foodborn...

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