Approximately how many infant/child illnesses with renal issues were linked to melamine adulteration in dairy products?

• A. 29,400
• B. 294,000 infant/child illnesses with renal issues
• C. 52,000
• D. 1,000

Answer: (B)

Melamine adulteration in dairy products caused a large wave of kidney problems in infants and young children. The most widely cited estimate for these renal illnesses is about 294,000 cases, reflecting the scale of the 2008 scandal in China where contaminated infant formula led to nephrolithiasis and renal injury in many babies. The other numbers are far too small to match the observed impact of the outbreak. Melamine itself isn’t highly toxic in small amounts, but when ingested in contaminated formula it can form crystals in the kidneys and cause renal damage, which is why this event led to a huge number of illnesses.