Botulism in infancy. Report of a case

K. T. McKee Jr, A. W. Kilroy, W. W. Harrison and W. Schaffner

A 22-day-old infant developed infant botulism characterized by profound weakness, hypotonia, respiratory arrest, areflexia, ptosis, pupils that responded poorly to light, and absent gag reflex. Stool examination yielded Clostridium botulinum type B organisms and type B toxin. Electromyography provided rapid diagnostic assistance. With supportive care, reovery was complete. This "new" disease probably is more common than now appreciated.