As of 2015[update], the environmental source of this bacterium is unknown, despite extensive investigations when cases have occurred.

Clostridium baratii infection is proven when it is grown on a petri dish and isolated from a stool culture.

This takes a minimum of 48 hours and more, because the bacterium needs to grow in the absence of oxygen, that is under anaerobic conditions.

Signs of the disease reported by caregivers are "excessive crying, reluctance to suck, and difficulty in swallowing milk".

When very young infants become floppy and their breathing fails (progressive respiratory failure) health care practitioners should consider this disease as a possible diagnosis.