As of this date 12/14/25, 51 babies in 19 states have fallen ill and been hospitalized due to Baby Botulism linked to baby formula. There have been 107 cases of Baby Botulism since August 2025. Infant botulism is usually rare, affecting less than 200 babies in the US per year. This recent occurrence is a significant increase compared to past years. Baby Botulism affects children under 1 year old.
What are other names for Baby Botulism?
Infant Botulism
Floppy Baby Syndrome
Infantile Botulism
Infant Intestinal Botulism
Infant Intestinal Toxemia Botulism
What are the initial symptoms of Baby Botulism?
• Constipation
• Poor feeding
• Weak and altered cry
• Drooping eyelids
• Weaker fascial expressions
• Difficulty sucking
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of head control
These Infant Botulism symptoms can progress to:
- Difficulty Breathing
- Paralysis
- Respiratory Arrest
- Death
What causes Baby Botulism?
Botulism spores are ingested. These spores colonize and grow in the gut and produce botulinum toxin. This dangerous toxin then attacks the nervous system. Because the bacterium germinates it may take several weeks for symptoms to appear and for parents to realize something is wrong.
The Botulism toxin affects the nervous system causing the muscles not to be able to normally contract. This is why parents may notice facial, vocal, digestive and breathing changes because the muscles are not able to respond normally.
What has caused this latest outbreak?
ByHeart infant formula has been identified as the source of this outbreak due to contamination of Clostridium botulinum. All variations of this product involved in the outbreak have been recalled.
How do you test for Baby Botulism?
Testing for infant Botulism is complicated and takes time. State public health departments approve of the testing and it is completed by only a few specialized labs in the US.
How is Baby Botulism treated?
There is only one antidote available to treat baby Botulism. It is called BabyBIG (Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous).
This treatment is made from blood plasma donated by scientists and volunteers. “Licensed in 2003, BabyBIG is the brand name for human botulism immune globulin, an IV medication that uses antibodies from volunteers vaccinated against botulism to help babies too young to fight the disease on their own.” BabyBIG has treated 3,700 children worldwide. As the only treatment available it has been demonstrated to save lives, reduce hospital stays and decrease the need for breathing machines."
The world is indebted to the plasma donors who voluntarily get vaccinated with an investigational botulism vaccine used by the U.S. military to produce antibodies that will fight the botulism bacterium.
Do infants recover from Baby Botulism?
Yes. If the child has not developed any other conditions or complications while ill with infant botulism the damaged nerve endings should regrow allowing a full recovery. The child may need ongoing treatment which may include mechanical ventilation, tube feeding, IV fluids and Physical Therapy.
How is Baby Botulism different from Botulism?
The disease Botulism that most people are aware of is caused when the botulism bacteria produce the toxins in food. The individual then consumes these toxins when they eat the food and become ill. Most people have heard the warning not to eat food from significantly dented cans because they might get botulism. This is because food that has not been properly preserved or canned allows conditions for the botulism spores to invade and begin germinating and producing toxins. When these foods are consumed the person can become seriously ill or die if they do not get immediate treatment.
Baby botulism is different because the spores germinate in the baby's immature large intestine and then produce the toxins. This is why Baby Botulism may take weeks for the infant to demonstrate symptoms but in adults it is immediate.
When was Baby Botulism identified as a disease?
In 1976 when researchers discovered the paralysis in infants was due to the toxin being produced in the baby's gut rather than having been ingested.
Is Baby Botulism the reason to avoid Honey if my child is under 1?
Yes! Honey has been identified as a source of botulism spores. Numerous studies have found the ingestion of honey linked to cases of Baby Botulism and a significant number of honey samples in the United States have tested positive for botulism spores and toxins. Adult digestive systems have defenses against the spores while infants do not. "Such substantial evidence led the CDC to recommend that honey not be given to infants younger than 12 months old."
Is Baby Botulism a Medical Emergency?
Yes!
If you suspect your child has Baby Botulism call your doctor. If your doctor can not assess your child immediately take them to an urgent care or ER department. Tell the provider you believe your child has baby botulism and why. It is better to be wrong in your suspicions for the right reasons than risking your child not receiving appropriate care.