Food Poisoning In Babies: Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

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Food poisoning is a food-borne illness that occurs due to the ingestion of food or drinks contaminated by harmful bacteria, viruses, and other germs (1). Upon ingestion of spoiled/contaminated food or formula, the pathogens enter the baby’s digestive tract and irritate and inflame it, leading to an infection.

Depending on the pathogen present and the extent of infection, food poisoning in babies can manifest mild to severe symptoms. However, due to their developing immune system, children under five years are more susceptible to severe symptoms and complications (2). Therefore, knowing about food poisoning in detail is imperative for parents.

Read on to know about the specific pathogens that cause food poisoning, the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and effective prevention.

Signs And Symptoms Of Food Poisoning

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Food poisoning affects the gastrointestinal system. Here’s a list of some common symptoms that a baby is likely to exhibit when they have food poisoning (3).

• Crying and excessive fussiness
• Abdominal discomfort or stomach cramps
• Upset stomach or diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Dehydration
• Blood in the stool or vomit
• Malaise or overall weakness

In severe food poisoning, a baby or toddler can get dehydrated. Dehydration could cause the following signs in babies and toddlers (4).

• Crying without tears
• Parched mouth
• Sunken fontanelles (soft spot)
• Dry eyes
• Less urination and fewer than six diapers in a day

Typically, food poisoning symptoms appear within a few minutes, hours, or days after eating/drinking the contaminated food or drink. The severity of these symptoms can vary from one baby to another and may last from a few hours to several days.

Point to consider

Kidney failure and brain or nerve damage are severe and long-term complications of food poisoning (6).

Causes Of Food Poisoning

Food poisoning happens when a baby or toddler consumes improperly handled, unhygienically prepared, or poorly stored foods and beverages. Cross-contamination of foods and drinks anywhere during harvesting/manufacturing, processing, storing, shipping, and preparing is another cause of food poisoning.

Raw or undercooked poultry, meat, eggs, seafood, and unpasteurized milk are common foods associated with food poisoning (5). In addition, baked goods, pre-cut fruits and vegetables, processed/ready-to-eat food, such as meat, and improperly canned or sealed food are other potential sources of food poisoning.

Here’s a brief overview of the microbes that can contaminate foods and drinks, leading to food poisoning (6) (7).

1. Bacteria: Most food poisoning cases happen due to bacterial contamination of foods and beverages. Campylobacter, Staphylococcus aureus (Staph), Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, E.coli, Yersinia, and Shigella commonly cause food poisoning. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Salmonella is responsible for more foodborne illnesses than other types of bacteria, and children under five are three times more likely to be hospitalized if they get a Salmonella infection.

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2. Viruses: Some common viruses that can contaminate food or drinks are hepatitis A (HAV), rotavirusⁱAn extremely contagious virus that spreads through feces. , and norovirusⁱA contagious virus that leads to diarrhea and vomiting. . A virus can transfer to a food item through contaminated water or an infected person handling or preparing the food.

3. Parasites: A parasite is a tiny microorganism that can enter the body through food or drink, reside in the digestive tract, and survive for years. Toxoplasma gondiiⁱA parasite found in contaminated food and water and cat feces. , Giardia, and CryptosporidiumⁱA parasite found in human and animal feces that spreads through contaminated food and water. are some common parasites that are known to cause food poisoning.

4. Toxins and contaminants: Harmful natural toxins and added chemicals in foods and drinks could lead to food poisoning. For instance, certain wild mushrooms contain natural toxins, unwashed fresh produce can contain pesticides, and fish and shellfish may contain toxins produced by algae or bacteria. As a result, consuming these foods can cause food poisoning in babies.

Besides these causes, allergens present in foods and beverages can cause symptoms similar to food poisoning. Heavy metal poisoning is another food and water-borne poisoning that can affect babies.

When To Call A Doctor?

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Babies and toddlers have immature digestive systems. Hence, even mild cases of food poisoning may turn severe in a short time. Therefore, take your baby to a doctor immediately if they exhibit food poisoning symptoms. The doctor will examine the child and decide whether the baby or toddler can be treated at home or require immediate medical assistance.

Be watchful

See a doctor promptly if your child has a fever over (101°F or 38°C), bloody stools, or symptoms that continue to worsen or do not improve within 24 hours (9).

How To Diagnose Food Poisoning?

For babies, especially those with weakened immunity, prompt diagnosis of food poisoning is essential for timely treatment. Delays in diagnosis and treatment may aggravate infection and adversely affect the baby.

Here’s how the diagnosis is likely to happen (8).

1. Physical examination: During the physical examination, a doctor will note the baby’s symptoms and examine the abdomen for tenderness or pain. Then, they will inquire about what the baby had, check the baby’s vital parameters, such as blood pressure and pulse, and scroll through the baby’s medical history. Based on the findings, they may order additional tests, such as a stool test, to determine the specific microbe causing the symptoms.

2. Blood and stool test: A stool test helps determine the specific microbe causing food poisoning. A blood test is done to detect infection or signs of complications, such as dehydration. It will also help rule out any health problem that may be contributing to the symptoms.  

Treatment For Food Poisoning

Most food poisoning cases resolve by themselves within five to ten days (9). However, in some cases, the baby or toddler may require the following treatment.

1. Dietary changes

The doctor may advise you to limit your baby or toddler’s food and beverage intake briefly, say three to four hours (1). It is done to let the digestive system settle. After that, you would be suggested to continue breastfeeding or formula-feeding the baby.

If the baby has started eating solids, the doctor will likely recommend a liquid diet until the symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea, subside. Then, as the baby feels better, they can gradually shift to their regular weaning diet, containing foods such as bread, rice, banana, yogurt, lean meat, fruits, and veggies.

2. Oral rehydration

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Vomiting and diarrhea in food poisoning can dehydrate the baby or toddler. So, to replenish the lost fluids and electrolytes, the doctor can recommend an ORS for babies, such as Pedialyte or Infalyte.

Additionally, they may suggest giving extra fluids, such as buttermilk and coconut water, to replenish lost fluids, depending on the baby’s age. Severely dehydrated babies and toddlers may need to be hospitalized to get intravenous fluids (IV) under medical observation.

3. Medication

In the cases of severe bacterial infection, the baby or toddler may be administered antibiotics. Since antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria, probiotics for babies may be recommended to help restore a healthy gut microbiome balance. In addition, if the baby or toddler has a fever or pain, the doctor might suggest appropriate medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to control the symptoms.

Remember not to use over-the-counter medications to treat diarrhea, fever, and vomiting in babies and toddlers. Rare but life-threatening complications, such as intussusceptionⁱA condition in which one part of the intestine slides into the other, causing blockage and leading to vomiting and blood in stools. or HUS (hemolytic uremic syndrome)ⁱA condition usually caused due to E.coli infection, which leads to loss of blood platelets, anemia, or kidney failure. can be avoided by avoiding over-the-counter medications and consulting the doctor soon.

Tips To Prevent Food Poisoning In Babies And Toddlers

Protecting babies and toddlers from microbial infection requires utmost care and vigilance while handling, preparing, and storing baby food. Here’s how you could do that.

For formula-feeding babies

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Hygienic preparation of infant formula using clean utensils is the gold standard to ensure the baby’s safety and hygiene. Here are some additional precautions to observe (10) (11).

1. Clean and sterilize the baby’s bottle, teats/nipples, and utensils that you use to prepare formula milk. Do the same for cleaning the breast pumps if you feed expressed breast milk to your newborn/toddler.

2. Use clean and safe water to prepare baby formula or any other baby foods. Prepare the formula as directed on its package or as instructed by your pediatrician.

3. Use a clean, dry spoon to scoop out powder. It is crucial to prevent moisture from entering the formula container, which can initiate bacterial growth and cause spoilage. After preparing the formula, tightly cover the container and store it in a cool, dry place.

4. Store expressed breast milk, donor milk, and prepared formula in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C) until ready for use to cease bacterial activity.

5. Feed the formula within 24 hours of preparation. Discard the formula that has been sitting at room temperature for more than two hours.

6. Discard leftover formula once the baby is done feeding. Bacteria could contaminate half-consumed formula or milk.

For weaning babies and toddlers

Once your baby begins eating solids, you need to observe precautions while handling raw food items and preparing them. The US CDC recommends the following steps to “Clean, Separate, Cook, And Chill” the food to prevent food poisoning (12) (13).

1. Clean

Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling and cooking the food.

Clean the kitchen counter, chopping board, knives, and utensils with hot water and soap. Disinfect surfaces, such as refrigerator and kitchen cabinet handles that you often touch, using a disinfectant.

Wash fresh produce, such as fruits and vegetables, under clean running water as soon as you bring them from the market. Store them at appropriate temperatures away from raw foods, such as meat and fish. Avoid handling food if you have open sores or cuts on your hands and fingers. If you have to, do so after wearing gloves.

2. Separate

Use different knives and chopping boards for animal and plant-based foods. Store raw poultry and meat in re-sealable bags or containers placed in the coldest section of the refrigerator. Store the bags at a designated spot in the refrigerator so that the meat’s fluids and juices do not come in contact with other food items.

3. Cook

Feed well-cooked meat, poultry, egg, and vegetables to babies and toddlers. Use a food thermometer to determine the internal temperature of the cooked food item. Don’t feed ready-to-eat, commercial baby foods to babies directly from the food jar. Instead, take a small portion of the food in a clean bowl using a sterilized spoon.  Heat only the portion of the food you have taken out from the jar. Label the food jar with the date when you opened the jar and refrigerate it at 40°F (4°C).

4. Chill

Refrigerate perishable food items within one to two hours of purchase. Store cooked leftovers, such as purees and porridge, in the refrigerator at appropriate temperatures within a couple of hours of cooking. Feed them within a day or two unless you freeze them appropriately for a longer duration. Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator and not in the sink or on the kitchen counter.

Besides these, you should never feed unpasteurized juices and cider vinegar to babies and toddlers. Read the product label carefully to know whether a product is pasteurized. Packaged baby foods with broken seals or cracked cans are other things you should avoid to prevent food poisoning in babies.

Infographic: Prevention Of Food Poisoning In Babies And Toddlers

Food poisoning is rare in breastfeeding babies. However, raw and contaminated ingredients can trigger food poisoning in formula-fed babies and those on solid foods. Check out the infographic below for essential tips to remember to prevent food poisoning in babies and toddlers.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Food Poisoning In Babies: Symptoms Diagnosis And Treatment

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Knowing how to identify the major signs of severe food poisoning may be helpful for you to decipher if your baby is suffering from an episode. Learn the five major signs with this video.

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Dr. Anjan BhattacharyaDCH, MRCP, MRCPCH

Dr. Anjan Bhattacharya has worked in the field of pediatrics, neonatology and developmental pediatrics both in India and the UK for more than last 30 years, 12 years of that being in the UK.  While working in London, he has developed special interest in developmental pediatrics.

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Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

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Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

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Ghazia ShahMSc, MA, BEd

Ghazia is a scientist-turned-writer with three years of research experience in Cancer Biology. She did her masters degree in Biotechnology at the University of Kashmir and bachelors in Education at the same university. Ghazia then delved deeper into the science of language with a masters in English.

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