Hadassah doctor reveals how baby food poisoning was detected

Prof. Saar Chashia, head of the pediatric emergency department at Hadassah Ein Kerem and a deputy hospital director, described on Wednesday how doctors first identified the suspected poisoning of infants from baby food pouches. He said four children arrived at the pediatric ER last Thursday with suspected poisoning, and three showed unusual sleepiness, apathy and balance problems. A rapid examination raised suspicion of benzodiazepine poisoning, and that suspicion was quickly confirmed.

Chashia said the fact that several children arrived at the same time with similar symptoms immediately suggested something more serious than an isolated accidental ingestion of a sedative. Because of the complexity of the case, the involvement of multiple children and no other apparent cause, the hospital reported the incident at once to the Health Ministry. The children were evaluated and treated at the hospital.

The broader investigation, now involving Jerusalem police investigators, found the drugs clonazepam and lorazepam in fruit puree baby food from the Frinoq brand. The products had been bought at two branches of the Zol VeGadol chain on Jaffa Street in Jerusalem.

Chashia said the children have already been discharged home in good condition after supportive treatment. He stressed that benzodiazepine poisoning can cause extreme drowsiness, lack of response and instability, and in severe cases can suppress breathing and even stop it. The Health Ministry said there is no current grounds for a blanket recall of all Frinoq products, and so far there is no indication of a production defect at the factory. Police and the ministry are continuing their broad, overt and covert investigation to find the source of the sedating substances.