Botulism in Infants
Alternate Names : Infant Botulism
What are the treatments for the infection?
Treatment of infant botulism includes:
hospitalization
supportive measures, such as bed rest, fluids given through a vein,
comforting the infant and family
special enemas,
which may be used to clear out the spores in the intestinal tract
penicillin to kill the bacteria in the gut
a ventilator,
or artificial breathing machine
It is not clear whether antitoxin can help in infant botulism.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects vary depending on the treatment used.
Penicillin can cause stomach upset and allergic reactions.
Before the botulism antitoxin is given, a doctor may order a
skin test to make sure the baby does not have an allergy to the antitoxin.
What happens after treatment for the infection?
Once a baby has been treated and symptoms have
gone away, no further treatment is needed. If a baby survives the first
few days of botulism, it may take months for symptoms to subside. Recovery
is usually complete. If necessary, physical therapy
or occupational therapy
may help a baby recover muscle function.
How is the infection monitored?
A doctor may monitor the baby closely over
the first few months while symptoms of botulism disappear. The
baby's ability to breathe properly and muscle control will be watched closely.
Any new or worsening symptoms should always be reported to the doctor.
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