This article will explain how Similac and Enfamil infant formulas are linked to bacterial infections and necrotizing enterocolitis. This article outlines the safety issues with both formulas and the possible lawsuit. This lawsuit was filed in October 2021 and it was deemed timely given the recent advisory issued by the FDA. In the meantime, the companies have responded to the complaint by stating that safety is their top priority.
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Enfamil and Similac infant formulas cause necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
Parents are filing lawsuits alleging that Enfamil and Similac infant products cause necrotizing enterocolitis, a life-threatening gastrointestinal disease caused by cow-milk-based infant formula Baby formula Recall. Both companies have failed to properly warn consumers about the dangers associated with their products. Many families have suffered because of the condition, and these lawsuits aim to make their children whole again.
A number of recent studies have linked the use of popular baby formulas, such as Enfamil and Similac, with increased risk of gastrointestinal disorders. While full-term infants are often able to cope with cow milk and additives, premature infants cannot. Infected babies can suffer from fatal necrosis and organ failure. While it is unclear whether the formulas cause the disease, it is important to note that babies who were formerly breastfed are not at risk for the disease.
According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately one out of every 1,000 preterm infants will suffer from the condition. Doctors diagnose NEC by checking for bacterial infections in the baby’s stool and performing fecal tests. Sometimes an x-ray will be needed to determine the extent of necrotizing enterocolitis. While neither product is liable for the disease, parents who have suffered from the condition should consult with a necrotizing enterocolitis attorney to get compensation for their suffering.
Similac causes bacterial infections
Federal health officials are warning parents not to use certain lots of Similac and Alimentum infant formula after four babies contracted bacterial infections. The bacteria, Cronobacter sakazakii, cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in infants. The affected formula was made at an Abbott facility in Sturgis, Michigan. The company has voluntarily recalled some batches of these products. If you or a loved one notices any symptoms in your infant, contact your child’s health care provider.
The bacterium that is causing the infections in infants has no known cure. It can lead to severe infections and can irritate the membranes protecting the spine and brain. Several cases have been reported nationwide, including one in Minnesota. As a precaution, federal health officials are warning parents not to buy Similac formula that has expired. Abbott Nutrition has recalled Similac PM 60/40 but does not specify the number of affected units.
The CDC has confirmed that the Similac formula contains the bacterium Cronobacter. Cronobacter can cause severe infections and inflammation of the membranes protecting the spine and brain. Similac PM 60/40 formula is the most commonly consumed infant formula. In three states, the bacteria were detected in the breast milk of four infants. At least two infants died from these infections. To find out more about the causes of bacterial infections in babies, the CDC conducted whole genome sequencing on two patient samples. This bacterium is also present in environmental samples from the Sturgis facility.
Enfamil causes bacterial infections
Recent research has linked infant formulas such as Enfamil to bacterial infections in babies. The company’s Enfamil Newborn is being pulled from store shelves after a Missouri baby contracted a potentially deadly form of gastrointestinal infection. Specifically, the infant formula contains the bacteria Cronobacter sakazakii, which can cause serious illness and even death. Another risk is the presence of Salmonella, which can cause gastrointestinal illness and sometimes lead to death. More information can be found at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The CDC is currently investigating a report on Enfamil and bacterial infections in babies. It cites a 2008 outbreak in New Mexico, in which one infant died and one had severe brain damage. Researchers were unable to pin down the source of the Cronobacter bacteria, but they did find evidence that Enfamil was a potential risk factor in two other infants. The bacteria is known to cause sepsis, meningitis, and intestinal damage in humans.
While the majority of newborns do not develop the blood-brain barrier or gastrointestinal tract fully, it is possible that newborn babies are more susceptible to infection from a wide variety of bacteria than older children or adults. In such a case, a baby’s immune system may become overloaded with infection-causing bacteria. As a result, infants with severe bacterial infections are more likely to have a lower than average chance of survival.