A known risk factor for botulism in children is:

A known risk factor for botulism in children is:

• A. Giving honey to infants
• B. Drinking cow's milk
• C. Eating undercooked pork
• D. Vitamin supplements

Answer: (A)

Giving honey to infants is a known risk factor for infant botulism. In babies under about one year, the gut isn’t fully developed, and spores of Clostridium botulinum can survive and grow in the intestines, producing toxin. Honey can contain these spores, so feeding honey to young babies increases the chance of developing botulism. The other options don’t fit the same infant risk pattern. Cow’s milk isn’t a recognized botulism risk factor in healthy infants. Under–cooked pork and vitamin supplements aren’t typical sources or contributors to infant botulism.

Giving honey to infants is a known risk factor for infant botulism. In babies under about one year, the gut isn’t fully developed, and spores of Clostridium botulinum can survive and grow in the intestines, producing toxin. Honey can contain these spores, so feeding honey to young babies increases the chance of developing botulism.

The other options don’t fit the same infant risk pattern. Cow’s milk isn’t a recognized botulism risk factor in healthy infants. Under–cooked pork and vitamin supplements aren’t typical sources or contributors to infant botulism.