- With Mayo Clinic emeritus consultant
Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
Dr. Jay Hoecker, an emeritus consultant in the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, brings valuable expertise to MayoClinic.com in general and primary care pediatrics. He has a particular interest in infectious diseases of children.
Dr. Hoecker, a Fort Worth, Texas, native, is certified as a pediatrician by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He was trained at Washington University's St. Louis Children's Hospital, and in infectious diseases at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1989.
"The World Wide Web is revolutionizing the availability and distribution of information, including health information about children and families," Dr. Hoecker says. "The evolution of the Web has included greater safety, privacy and accuracy over time, making the quality and access to children's health information immediate, practical and useful. I am happy to be a part of this service to patients from a trusted name in medicine, to use and foster all the good the Web has to offer children and their families."
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Infant health (9)
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- see all in Infant health
Toddler health (6)
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- Toddler speech development: When should a parent be concerned?
- see all in Toddler health
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Question
Karo syrup for constipation: Is it safe for babies?
Is it safe to give my baby corn (Karo) syrup for constipation?
Answer
from Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
Giving infants corn (Karo) syrup for constipation isn't recommended.
It is true that corn syrup draws more fluid into the intestine, which makes stool less hard. But in excess, corn syrup can cause diarrhea in infants, resulting in water and electrolyte losses.
In the past, concern has been raised about whether corn syrup is a source of bacterial spores that produce Clostridium botulinum bacteria. These bacteria are typically harmless to older children and adults. But when ingested by an infant, these bacteria make a toxin that can cause infant botulism.
According to a 2006 report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, manufacturers of corn syrups can't guarantee that their products are free of these bacterial spores. However, there have never been any cases of infant botulism directly linked to corn syrup. Still, corn syrup isn't intended or recommended as a treatment for infant constipation.
Treatment of infant constipation varies by age. For infants 2 months or younger, call your baby's doctor for advice on treatment. For infants older than 2 months, give them 2 to 4 ounces of water twice a day in addition to their usual fluid intake. If constipation doesn't improve, give them 2 to 4 ounces of fruit juice twice a day. For infants older than 4 months who are already eating solid foods, give them baby food that's high in fiber — such as peas, beans, apricots, prunes, peaches or pears — twice a day until constipation improves. You may also apply a small amount of water-based lubricant to your baby's anus to ease stool passage.
If constipation persists despite trying these measures, consult your baby's doctor.
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