Tennessee Child, Toddler Hospitalized Amid Baby Formula Shortage

MEMPHIS, TN — Two children recently were hospitalized in Tennessee amid a nationwide baby formula shortage.

Both children, one a toddler and one preschool age, were recently admitted to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, a hospital spokesperson confirmed to Patch.

The children had "specific dietary needs" and their bodies "didn't adapt well" to a new baby formula type, Dr. Mark Corkins, division chief of pediatric gastroenterology at Le Bonheur and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, said in a statement.

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The children both have short bowel syndrome, a condition that prevents them from absorbing nutrients properly because part of their small intestine is missing. Both were patients of Corkins and were receiving specialized formula from Abbott Nutrition before it ran out. The patients didn't take to a different, non-Abbott formula and experienced dehydration, according to the spokesperson.

The children received treatment via IV fluids and supplemental nutrition, Corkins said.

The toddler was hospitalized last week and was released Tuesday, but the preschool-age child is still in the hospital after being admitted in late April, the spokesperson said.

"Le Bonheur Children's and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center's multidisciplinary team of pediatric experts are carefully making multiple substitutions throughout a child’s care to ensure that their nutritional needs are met," Corkins said. "This can be a complicated and cumbersome process and is extremely difficult for parents to navigate on their own."

Corkins urged parents with formula-related questions to consult a pediatrician.

Supply disruptions coupled with a safety recall from Abbott Nutrition in February have led to major shortages in baby formula across the United States. Abbott is one of only a handful of companies that produce the vast majority of the U.S. formula supply.

The recalled baby formulas were of popular brands Similac, Alimentum and EleCare that were produced in Sturgis, Michigan, Abbott's largest manufacturing plant, which was shuttered in February due to contamination concerns. Formula produced at the plant was linked to two infant deaths, prompting an investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The FDA reached a deal with Abbott this week to allow the company to restart its Michigan plant, although that could take eight to 10 weeks for products to reach store shelves, the company said.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said there will be a full investigation of the shutdown to prevent making the same mistakes that may have been made. The U.S. will host congressional hearings over the next few weeks, during which Califf is expected to testify.

At a news conference Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested criminal charges could be filed in connection with the shortage of infant formula but did not specify who should be charged or what the charges would be.

House Democrats announced a proposed $28 million emergency funding package aimed at relieving the supply problems at the news conference.