Litigation

Contaminated Powder Infant Formula linked to Neonatal Meningitis and Bacteremia in Infants

A recent study concluded that powdered infant formula can cause serious illness or death in infants.  The infants are typically diagnosed with Meningitis,Salmonella, Sepsis or Bacteraemia.  These illnesses can often lead to brain damage or death.  Powdered infant formula can be contaminated with harmful bacteria during the manufacturing process or contaminated if not handled properly.  Doctors often diagnose the illness as Meningitis, Salmonella, Sepsis, or Bacteraemia.  These illness can be caused by the bacteria  E. Sakazakii.

Over the past 40 years that have only been 50 reported cases of people effected with E. Sakazakii, but there is evidence to suggest that many cases go unreported. Most of the reported cases have been infants with the death rate being between 33% and 50% in infants. Infants that do survive usually suffer permanent brain damage.

E. Sakazakii can be found in the environment, but scientific studies have linked the infection in infants to powder infant formulas. Powder Infant Formulas are not sterile and can become contaminated with high amounts of E. Sakazakii during the manufacturing process, or by improper preparation, dilution, storage, or hygiene.

Research has concluded that infants most at risk for becoming infected are those with  Low birth weights or less than two months old. This condition also suggest that infected infants may be lacking sufficient colonization of the gastrointestinal tract with normal bacterial flora to compete with the opportunistic pathogen, E. sakazakii. Similarly, in the adult cases, most had underlying diseases that could have increased their chances of being infected with E. sakazakii.

Infants that are infected by E. sakazakii show the following symptoms:  poor feeding response, irritability, jaundice, grunting respirations, and instability of body temperature. As the infection progess infants will being to suffer from severe neurological impairment, Ventriculitis, brain cysts and abscesses, cerebral infarction, and hydrocephalus.

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The questions to ask about Powder Infant Formula

1.    Is Powder Infant Formula  safe?

PIF is safe as long as the manufacturing process is not contaminated and all the directions for use are followed exactly. Pay head to any warnings on the box.

2.    What is Powder Infant Formula contaminated with?

Well Powder Infant Formula can be contaminated with any number of things, but on of the main things to watch out for is Enterobacter Sakakii which can cause Neonatal Meningitis or Bacteremia in infants.

3.    How can it be contaminated?

Powder Infant Formula is not sterilized when it manufactured and can become contaminated during the manufacturing process.

4.     Is there a way I can tell if my Powder Infant Formula is contaminated?

A lab test can be done to determine if your Powder Infant Formula is contaminated, but there is no way to tell just by looking at it
 
5.    My infant has had Powder Infant Formula will he get Neonatal Meningitis or Bacteremia?

The infants most at risk for these disease are those that are born premature, have a low birth weight and those less than two months old

6.    My child has had powder infant formula what are some sign of Neonatal Meningitis or Bacteremia?

Fever, Poor feeding, Respiratory Distress, Stiff Neck, Convulsion, and Bulging Fontanelle 

7.     If there any alternative to Powder Infant Formula?

Yes, Liquid or Concentrated liquid Formula both are sterilized during production

8.    My child was feed Powder infant formula as an infant and is now a minor child with Meningitis or Bacteremia, what should I do?

Contact a lawyer to have an investigation done and what your right are. In many state you have a cause of action until the child reaches the age of majority.

Additional Resources:

Full post as published by Trial Lawyer Resource Center on May 30, 2007 (boomark / email).