title: [Infant botulism].
abstract: Infant botulism is a rare disease that affects infants below the age of 12 months following absorption of neurotoxins produced by ingested Clostridium botulinum spores. The clinical manifestations are caused by symmetrical cranial nerve palsies followed by descending, symmetric flaccid paralysis of voluntary muscles. Presenting symptoms include constipation, lethargy, mydriasis and ptosis. The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical examination and confirmed by isolating the toxin in serum or stools. Treatment consists of supportive intensive care and treatment with antitoxins.
authors.affiliation: Børneafdelingen, Hvidovre Hospital, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark. thoffmann@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Kåre
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mølbak
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paerregaard
mesh_terms: D001904:Botulinum Antitoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001906:Botulism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003014:Clostridium botulinum; D003422:Critical Care; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011379:Prognosis; D013171:Spores, Bacterial
chemical_list: D001904:Botulinum Antitoxin