Corn syrup, just as with honey, can contain botulism spores. Unlike
adults, infants under 1 year have lower stomach acid, such that these
spores will not be killed off. The spores multiply and result in infant
botulism. According to the Amer. Public Health Association Control of
Communicable Diseases in Man p. 61 "Infant botulism is the most common form
of botulism; it results from the colonization and subsequent outgrowth and
in vivo toxin production in the intestine by the botulinal bacillus. It
affects infants under 1 year of age almost exclusively, but can affect
adults who have altered GI anatomy and microflora. The illness typically
begins with constipation, followed by lethargy, listlessness, poor feeding,
ptosis, diff swallowing, loss of head control, hypotonia and generalized
weakness, and in SOME CASES, RESPIRATORY INSUFFICIENCY AND ARREST." It is
estimated that this causes 5% of SIDS deaths. The case fatality is 2% in
the US.
: )Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC email: [log in to unmask] : )
: )HSR & Health Educational Consultant voice/fax: 541 753 7340 : )
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