Infections Associated with the Use of Powdered Infant Formula

Enterobacter sakazakii, a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, is a rare cause of invasive infection with high death rates in neonates (1,2). This report summarizes the investigation of a fatal infection associated with E. sakazakii in a hospitalized neonate, which indicated that the infection was associated with the presence of the organism in commercial powdered formula fed to the infant. The implicated batch of formula has been recalled by the manufacturer. Clinicians should be aware of the potential risk for infection from use of nonsterile enteral formula in the neonatal health-care setting.