Powdered Infant Formula Linked to Serious Illness or Death
Evidence linking powdered infant formula to serious illness and even death in newborns is not new.
In the past, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned of the risk from Enterobacter sakazakii (E. sakazakii) infections in hospitalized newborn infants fed powdered infant formulas. That warning followed the case of a newborn death from E. sakazakii, which was linked to a specific powdered infant formula, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to more recent data from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) website, there is more evidence of the link between infants who have been fed powdered infant formula contaminated with E. sakazakii and a diagnosis of:
- Bacterial meningitis
- Salmonella
- Sepsis
- Bacteraemia
These illnesses can often lead to brain damage or death. Infants most at risk for becoming infected are neonates (less than 28 days old), particularly pre-term or low birth weight and infants with weakened immune systems. Infants that are infected by E. sakazakii may show the following symptoms:
- poor feeding response
- irritability
- jaundice
- grunting respirations
- instability of body temperature
As the infection progresses infants may begin to suffer from severe neurological impairment, ventriculitis, brain cysts and abscesses, cerebral infarction, and hydrocephalus.
Powdered infant formula is not sterilized and may be contaminated with E. sakazakii, harmful bacteria that may cause bacterial meningitis, sepsis, and bacteraemia. The powdered infant formula may become contaminated during the manufacturing process or by improper preparation, dilution, storage, or hygiene.
Over the past 40 years there have only been 50 reported cases of people affected with E. sakazakii, but there is evidence to suggest that many cases go unreported. Most of the reported cases have been infants with a death rate of between 33% and 50%. Infants that do survive usually suffer permanent brain damage.
If your infant has been diagnosed with Meningitis, Salmonella, Sepsis or Bacteraemia or your infant has been infected with E. sakazakii please contact us today.