What type of paralysis is typically seen with botulism in infants?

Botulism in infants is characterized primarily by flaccid descending paralysis. This occurs due to the action of botulinum toxin, which blocks the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle weakness and decreased muscle tone. In infants, this can manifest as generalized hypotonia (decreased muscle tone), decreased reflexes, and weakness that progresses in a descending manner, starting from the cranial nerves and affecting the limbs.

Infant botulism usually arises from the ingestion of honey or the presence of the bacteria in the gut, which produces the toxin. The flaccid nature of the paralysis, as opposed to spastic paralysis (which involves increased tone and reflexes), is a key distinguishing feature and reflects the disruption of normal neuromuscular transmission caused by the toxin.

The other potential choices do not accurately describe the paralysis associated with botulism: ascending paralysis is often seen in Guillain-Barré syndrome, spastic paralysis involves increased muscle tone and is associated with upper motor neuron lesions, and partial paralysis does not specifically characterize the condition observed in botulism.