A previously healthy 6-month-old boy presents with upper body weakness. He cannot hold his eyes open, pupils do not react, and he cannot hold his head up. What is the proper treatment?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Clostridium botulinum found in household dust or honey was ingested by the baby and the spores germinated in her GI tract because her normal flora was not sufficient to suppress the germination. It is the vegetative cells that produce the botulinum toxin. Antibiotics disrupt normal flora, prolonging the disease, but administration of human antitoxin can dramatically reduce the length of the hospital stay.

A Previously Healthy 6-Month-Old Boy Presents with Upper Body Weakness