[Botulism in newborn infants].

Infant botulism, first described in 1976, is the most common form of botulism. The majority of cases are reported from the USA. The disease is rare in Europe, and this article describes the first patient reported in Norway. A three-month-old boy of Norwegian origin who had been fed Argentinian honey developed symptoms of botulism. Electromyography showed presynaptic neuromuscular dysfunction. The diagnosis was confirmed by the demonstration of Clostridium botulinum type A neurotoxin in the faeces. After supportive treatment, breast-milk feeding and lactobacillus supplementation he made a complete recovery. If spores of C. botulinum are ingested, they can bind to the epithelium, germinate and produce toxin which causes botulism. Because of the composition of their intestinal flora, children below one year of age are at risk. Ingestion of honey is a well known risk factor. Contamination of Norwegian honey has never been reported but we recommend that honey should not be given to children during their first year of life.