Warning over powdered formula issued 
       
        

Aug 26, 2004 

Health and food safety officials have issued strong warnings about using powdered milk formula following the death of a premature baby in Waikato.

Officials say the baby's death was linked to a bacteria called Enterobacter sakazakii which can be found in the environment and in low levels in infant formula.

Dr Pat Tuohy from the Health Ministry says the six week premature baby developed an infection, which was treated at the time, but depsite the prompt treatment the baby developed meningitis and died.

Officials say although the milk used in powdered formulas is pasteurised the powder is not able to be sterilised because it removes important nutrients.

That means the bacteria can grow to levels which can cause sickness or even death and while the risk is low, it is higher for premature and very small babies.

Hospital neonatal units have been advised to use ready made liquid formula which can be sterilised in the bottle and parents are being told not to prepare powdered formula until just before it is to be used.

Liquid formula is only available in neo natal units.

Once babies are healthy enough to leave those units the powdered formula administered correctly will be sufficient.

The bacteria is only a threat to very small, sickly or premature babies.

Pat Tuohy says cases are very rare - there have only been about fifty worldwide in the past 20 years and none in New Zealand until now. 


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