Infants fed honey or corn syrup are at increased risk for which of the following abnormalities?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Infants fed honey or corn syrup are at increased risk for botulism, a rare but potentially deadly form of food poisoning caused by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum that can produce a toxin in the digestive tract of infants. This toxin affects the nervous system and can cause muscle weakness, poor feeding, constipation, lethargy, and breathing difficulties, which can lead to respiratory failure and death if not treated promptly. Honey and corn syrup can contain spores of C. botulinum, which thrive in low-acid environments such as the intestines of infants under 12 months old, whose digestive systems are not yet fully developed. Therefore, infants should not be given honey or corn syrup until they are at least 12 months old.

Infants Fed Honey or Corn Syrup Are at Increased Risk