Case Study Advanced Pathophysiology: Chapter 19 Disorders of Motor Function (Gro
ID: 89283 • Letter: C
Question
Case Study Advanced Pathophysiology: Chapter 19 Disorders of Motor Function (Grossman & Porth)
The parents bring their 3-month-old infant to the urgent care you work at complaining that he has had constipation for 5 days that was preceded by weakness for several weeks. Upon physical exam, you note hypotonia, hyperreflexia, and respiratory distress. You advise the parents you believe the child needs to be admitted to hospital and taken immediately to the local pediatric emergency room.
I believe this infant has infant botulism - am I correct????
Explanation / Answer
From the case study, the symptoms shown by the three months infant can be related to Infant botulism as told by you.
Infant botulism is the condition caused by the bacteria present in the air, dust, dirt etc.
It is characterized by constipation , weakness, loss of muscle strength in the baby, respiratory difficulty, muscle spasms.
spores of bacteria Clostridium botulinum are responsible for the production of toxin botulin, which interferes with the digestion and the baby's strength.
Infants can not have the ability to overcome the bacterial spores because of their lesser efficient digestive system.
So Infants are more proned to botulism and the baby suffering from it should be treated with proper intravenous fluids for recovering the muscle strength.
Proper care and treatment is needed for the Infant's recovery