Mum's terror as baby's feet turn blue after formula feed
A distressed mother has revealed the terrifying ordeal of seeing her three-month-old son turn blue and start grunting, prompting an emergency hospital dash. The incident occurred after she fed him SMA infant formula from Nestlé, a brand she had trusted since his birth.
Symptoms escalate to a critical point
The baby initially suffered from vomiting, diarrhoea, and worsening stomach pain, which the mother attributed to routine illness. She continued to give him the formula in four-hourly feeds, purchased from a supermarket, even as his condition deteriorated. However, the situation took a drastic turn when she noticed his feet had turned a concerning shade of blue, accompanied by jerking movements and grunting sounds. This alarming development forced her to act quickly, rushing him to hospital for urgent medical attention.
Link to global formula recall emerges
Speaking anonymously to Sky News, the mother described her heart sinking upon discovering that the batches of formula she had used were part of a global recall by Nestlé. The recall, issued earlier this month, involves specific batches of SMA infant and follow-on formula due to potential contamination with cereulide, a toxin that can cause rapid-onset symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Nestlé has stated the recall is precautionary, stemming from a quality issue with an ingredient from a leading supplier, and no confirmed illnesses have been linked to the products so far.
Baby diagnosed with meningitis amid recall confusion
Despite Nestlé's assurance that cereulide does not cause meningitis, the baby was later diagnosed with the condition after undergoing two lumbar punctures and receiving antibiotic treatment. Professor Michael Benedict, Director of the University of Liverpool's Brain Infection and Inflammation Group, explained that bacteria from ingestion can enter the bloodstream and spread to organs like the meninges, leading to meningitis. The mother is now calling for a full investigation into what caused her son's severe illness, highlighting the distress and uncertainty faced by parents.
Recall impacts multiple European countries
The affected formula batches have been found in various European nations, including the UK, France, Austria, Italy, and Germany. Nestlé has emphasised its collaboration with UK authorities and its commitment to safeguarding infant health through voluntary recalls and corrective actions. This incident underscores the critical importance of vigilance in infant nutrition and the potential risks associated with contaminated products.
