Infant botulism with Down syndrome.

A 4-month-old boy with Down syndrome and infant botulism is reported. He was admitted to our hospital with stridor and developed respiratory failure and generalized paralysis. Laboratory examination revealed botulinal toxin type A in his blood and feces. Clostridium botulinum organisms were found in the feces and in the honey which he had been fed. Anti-botulinal toxin was administered on the 10th day of illness. Artificial ventilation was given for 87 days and he survived. This is the 11th known case of infant botulism in Japan. It is possible that other cases remain undiagnosed.