Severe infant botulism with cardiac arrest

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kakava, Felicia V. | Papazoglou, Kleoniki G. | Sideri, Georgia I. | Papadatos, John H.

Affiliations: Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Children's Hospital "P. & A. Kyriakou", Athens, Greece

Note: [] Correspondence: Georgia J. Sideri, M.D., Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Children's Hospital "P. & A. Kyriakou", Thivon & Levadias, Goudi, 117-27, Athens, Greece. Tel.: +30 2107798033; Fax: +30 2107798357; E-mail: georgia_sideri@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract: Botulism is caused by the toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. This toxin binds the peripheral presynaptic cholinergic membranes, preventing the release of acetylcholine and thereby producing a life-threatening, paralytic illness. We report the case of an infant with botulism who proceeded to cardiorespiratory arrest, but whose outcome was very satisfactory, in spite of the delay in diagnosis.

Keywords: Botulism, cardiorespiratory arrest, hypotonia

Journal: Journal of Pediatric Neurology, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 175-177, 2007