Severe infant botulism with cardiac arrest

Botulism is caused by the toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. This toxin binds the peripheral presynaptic cholinergic membranes, preventing the release of acetylcholine and thereby producing a life-threatening, paralytic illness. We report the case of an infant with botulism who proceeded to cardiorespiratory arrest, but whose outcome was very satisfactory, in spite of the delay in diagnosis.