Why is honey forbidden for babies?
Honey and infant botulism
Although this sweet food works wonders for our sore throats, the honey is a food that may contain clostridium botulinum spores. They are bacteria in the soil, dust and the environment. They can, while developing, produce a botulinum toxin. This toxin can cause symptoms of muscle paralysis.
Although this sweet food works wonders for our sore throats, the honey is a food that may contain clostridium botulinum spores. They are bacteria in the soil, dust and the environment. They can, while developing, produce a botulinum toxin. This toxin can cause symptoms of muscle paralysis.
Give some honey to a child younger than one year could then expose him to infant botulism disease. It is a paralytic disease, infrequent but serious. It is caused by a very powerful toxin synthesized in food by a bacterium (here clostridium botulinum present in the honey).
What is the risk baby having taken honey?
First of all, it is important to know that the intestinal microflora of babies is very fragile and insufficiently developed, it can not properly ensure a digestive defense.
Unlike infants, this bacterium, present in the honey, is harmless for the child and the adult, thanks to the acidity of the stomach.
Infant botulism is manifested by constipation, the child is weak, has difficulty holding his head and feeding. In some cases, this can lead to paralysis of the diaphragm and require respiratory assistance.
In 2010, the Agency for Sanitary Safety, Food, Environment and Labor (ANSES), warned parents about the bad effects of honey for children under one year, in accordance with WHO recommendations.
