China's Ministry of Health said on Wednesday that 2,390 infants nationwide were still receiving hospital treatment for kidney diseases caused by tainted powdered milk.

One was in a serious condition, the ministry said.

The number of baby patients in hospital dropped by one-third from a week ago when more than 3,600 infants were still hospitalized.

It said 48,514 children had recovered and left hospital since milk powder produced by Sanlu Group was found to contain the banned chemical melamine in mid September.

On Wednesday alone, 90 children were newly hospitalized and 218had recovered, the ministry said.

More than 4,500 medical institutions nationwide had conducted free treatment and examination of children feared to have been poisoned in the scandal.

(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2008)