In China tens of thousands of infants were poisoned by being exposed to melamine used to adulterate formula.
Melamine is an organic nitrogenous chemical used for making plastics, fibers and fertilizers. It was added to milk products to make the protein content seem higher than it really was.
The primary toxic effect is nephrolithiasis due to crystal formation. This may be complicated by acute renal failure due to obstruction of urinary flow. The crystals tend to occur when mixtures of melamine, cyanuric acid (another adulterant) and urates are present in the urine.
Additional toxic effects may include:
(1) neurotoxicity with cognitive deficits
(2) possibly tumors related to carcinogenicity
(3) hyperkalemia (associated with acute renal failure)
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