A three-and-a-half-year-old girl living in Hung Hom who has been drinking Yili brand high-calcium, low-fat milk daily for the past 15 months has developed a kidney stone, the Centre for Health Protection reports.

The Hospital Authority contacted the centre after her parents took her to Tseung Kwan O Clinic for a medical checkup yesterday. She had had two to three six-ounce cups of the milk daily, so her parents were concerned after the centre reported that the Yili brand product had been contaminated with melamine, a chemical that can cause kidney stones leading to kidney failure among young children.

Medics at the clinic found the stone in her left kidney and made arrangements for her to receive treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital today. She was treated there and discharged.

The centre has sent letters to all medical practitioners reminding them to report cases of renal disease among children if they are suspected to be related to the consumption of melamine adulterated milk products.

Hotline available

A hotline, 2125 1133, is available to provide health advice. It will be manned by public health professionals from 10am to 5pm tomorrow and from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday.

The centre reminds people not to drink milk nor consume milk products that were found to contain melamine. Information on these products can be found on its website.