Photo: Miljan Zivkovic / Shutterstock
A baby died last year from a rare infection linked to a contaminated breast pump And now, the authorities alert parents to properly sterilize the equipment.
The case is about a premature baby who was infected with the bacterium Cronobacter sakazakiithe same germ that caused the recall and nationwide shortage of powdered infant formula last year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a recent report on this, although this child’s infection was not caused by contaminated formula.
The baby was hospitalized because he had been fed a mixture of breast milk and liquid human milk fortifier through a tube. Genetic sequencing linked the infection to bacteria isolated from a home-used breast pump.
Samples of expressed milk, a hospital-used breast pump, and liquid human milk fortifier tested negative for the bacteria.
According to one investigation, the home breast pump was cleaned in a household sink, sanitized, and assembled while still wet.
a common bacterium
In this regard, Dr. Julia Haston, an expert in pediatric infectious diseases, said the case underscores that cronobacter bacteria are widely found in the environment and can cause serious and fatal infections.
Explain that there are steps people can take to prevent infection such as washing, sanitizing, and thoroughly drying hands, equipment, and all surfaces before feeding a baby.
The CDC reiterates that “infant caregivers should follow safe hygiene, preparation, and storage practices, and learn steps to protect babies from infection“.
Cronobacter sakazakii is a bacteria that can live in dry foods, such as powdered infant formula, powdered milk, herbal teas, and starches.
The agency reports that these bacteria can cause a dangerous blood infection (septicemia). They can also cause inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
And the babies most likely to get sick include those 2 months and younger, premature, or with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms start with a fever and difficulty feeding, excessive crying, or very low energy levels. Some babies might even have seizures.
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