Many parents consider honey a healthy treat, but for a child under one year old it can be very dangerous. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Almaty pediatric infectious disease specialist with 25 years of experience Saule Syrgabayeva told on Threads about the consequences that infants may face after trying honey.
Botulism spores in honey
"Why can an infant stop holding their head after honey? It's all about botulism spores that may be hidden in honey," she wrote.
The doctor emphasized that in adults, the intestines are mature and do not allow these spores to germinate – they simply pass through and are excreted.
"But in an infant under one year old, the intestines are, so to speak, empty, the microflora is not formed, and the spores get a chance to germinate right inside the intestines and start producing toxin on the spot," she said.
Effect of the toxin
The pediatrician explained that after this, the toxin blocks the transmission of signals from nerves to muscles. The muscles of the neck, face, and swallowing are affected first.
"The conclusion is this: honey in any form (even in baked goods, homemade jams, on a pacifier, with milk) – not earlier than 12 months. We calmly wait until the child is one year old, and then introduce honey to the baby," she recommended.
Symptoms of the disease
Recall that the disease can manifest from several hours to a couple of weeks after consuming honey. Main signs:
- 01Severe and prolonged constipation;
- 02General muscle weakness (the child looks "floppy");
- 03Lethargy, loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing, quiet, weak cry;
- 04The infant stops confidently holding their head.
Earlier
Earlier, pediatrician Nurzhamal Aubakirova on her Instagram page listed six popular pharmacy remedies that are often prescribed to children contrary to modern clinical recommendations.
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