Infant botulism is a rare illness, occurring fewer than 100 times per year in the United States, says KidsHealth.org. Infants are more susceptible to the illness because of an immature immune system. Symptoms of botulism develop between three and 30 days after the spores have been consumed. The initial symptom caregivers may notice in an infected infant is constipation.
Environment
The botulism spores, clostridium botulinum, exist in naturally in the environment, says the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is possible for the spores to make their way into an infant's mouth or nose, but this is not a very likely way for an infant to contract botulism. The spores can be found in the soil and untreated water. DrGreene.com explains that botulism spores can exist in the dust in a vacuum bag, which can be spread into the infant's environment.
Canned Foods
Infants may not be fed botulism-containing foods, but their presence can introduce the spores to the infant's environment. The NIH suggests home-canned vegetables, cured pork and ham, smoked fish or raw fish are the most likely cause of food-borne botulism.
Primary Source
Unsterilized corn syrup and honey are the two most common sources of infant botulism, says the NIH. Caregivers may give an infant honey or corn syrup for a number of reasons, such as home treatment of allergies. The recommendation is to avoid giving honey to an infant under the age of one year.
