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Health ministry starts nationwide haul of infant kidney stone cases

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-12 20:02

BEIJING - China's Health Ministry said here Friday that it has launched a nationwide investigation into contaminated Sanlu baby milk formula. All local health agencies are to report cases of infants with kidney stones immediately.

A woman holding her sick baby is seen at Sanlu Group, Shijiazhuang, North China's Hebei Province, September 12, 2008. The baby suffered from kidney stone after drinking milk powder made by Sanlu. [Xinhua]

Testing by Sanlu, found tripolycyanamide, also known as melamine,in 700 tons of its product.

Health experts said melamine is a chemical raw material. Ingestion can lead to reproductive damage, or bladder or kidney stones.

A thermosetting plastic, melamine has an appearance similar to milk powder. It is widely used in manufacturing fabrics, glues, housewares and flame retardants.

"The substance gives the appearance of a high nitrogen level, which is an index to measure the protein content in food," a health expert told Xinhua. He declined to be named.

Dozens of babies in the Gansu province are reportedly sick. One died after drinking contaminated forumla.

Lu Yuan, a urologist with the No. 1 Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, said kidney stones could bring serious problems to the baby's brains, hearts, lungs, kidneys and livers.

Lu's hospital, based in Lanzhou, capital of the Gansu Province, has received 14 such infant patients, six have already been cured and eight are still being treated.

"Most of the babies looked worn-out and had a fever when they arrived at the hospital. Some didn't produce any urine for two to three days and were in very serious condition," Lu said.

The Health Ministry has issued a treatment plan on its official website (www.moh.gov.cn) to help local hospitals deal with such sick babies.

The Health Ministry said those responsible for the contaminated milk will face "heavy punishment".

It urged the public to immediately stop consuming the Sanlu milk powder formula and go to a doctor if they find babies having difficulty in urinating.

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