Baby with botulism treated with human-derived botulinum

Community Practitioner, Jan, 2008 by June Thompson

A baby with botulism has become the first person in the UK to be treated with the human-derived botulinum antitoxin (Baby BIG).

Infant botulism is a rare disease in the UK, and until recently there has been no specific treatment suitable for use in infants, with supportive care being the mainstay. Infant botulism is more common in the United States, where Baby BIG is available for treatment.

On 30 September 2007, the previously healthy, breastfed infant aged eight months was admitted to a London hospital with a two-day history of poor feeding and lethargy. Respiratory failure developed and a diagnosis of infant botulism was made.

Baby BIG was obtained from the California Department of Health Services and administrated on 14 October.

There was no history of recent travel and no record of eating previously identified possible risk factors including honey, corn syrup or infant formula feed. Food items collected from the infant's home were also negative for C. botulinum culture.

Health Protection Report. Infant botulism: report of the first treatment by Baby BIG in the UK. Health Protection Agency UK 2007; 1: 45, 3-4