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Parents of the babies with kidney stones
tell the reporter about their kids' drinking state at a military hospital
in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, Sept. 11, 2008.
So far this year, Gansu Provincial Health Department has seen 59 kidney
stone cases in infants, and at least one baby died as a result of kidney
stones. Most of them live in rural areas of the province. There were no
such cases in 2006 or 2007. (Xinhua Photo)
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BEIJING, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- 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.
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, house
wares 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.
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Two babies with kidney stones receive
medical treatment at a military hospital in Lanzhou, capital of northwest
China's Gansu Province, Sept. 11, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
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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.
Stores in China pull contaminated milk powder off shelves
BEIJING, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Carrefour and Wal-Mart stores in China are pulling Sanlu milk powder off shelves.
The withdrawal came after both the health authority and Sanlu confirmed the milk to be contaminated with a toxic chemical. Full story
78 questioned in powder milk contamination
BEIJING, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese police questioned 78 people suspected of being involved in a baby milk powder contamination scandal, said Shijiazhuang Vice Mayor Zhao Xinchao on Friday.
The city is where the formula was being manufactured by Sanlu Group. Full story
Baby dies of kidney stones, fake milk powder suspected
LANZHOU, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- One baby has died of kidney stones in northwest China's Gansu Province, said health officials Thursday.
It is not clear if this infant drank milk formula being investigated for causing at least 14 babies to develop kidney stones. Full story
