Enterobacter Sakazakii: An Emerging Problem in Paediatric Nutrition

Recently there has been considerable concern related to the presence of bacteria, in particular Enterobacter sakazakii, in powdered infant formula milk. E. sakazakii, a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae, is an emerging opportunistic pathogen that has been associated with cases of meningitis, necrotizing enterocolitis and sepsis in premature and full-term infants. Feeding with powdered infant formula has been epidemiologically implicated in several clinical cases. Powdered infant formula is not a sterile product; good hygienic practice is, therefore, necessary in its reconstitution to reduce the risk of infection. The ingestion of raised numbers of E. sakazakii resulting from storage at room temperature after reconstitution is highlighted as well as the uncertain routes of E. sakazakii product contamination.