China's Ministry of Health said on Wednesday that 1,272 infants nationwide were still receiving hospital treatment for kidney disorders caused by tainted powdered milk.

Two were in serious condition, the ministry said on its website.

The number of infants currently hospitalized compares with more than 2,390 two weeks ago.

No children died from milk-related toxicity last month and all deaths reported to date occurred between May and August, the ministry said.

It said 50,306 children had recovered and left the hospital since milk powder produced by the Sanlu Group was reported to contain the industrial chemical melamine in mid-September.

Further inspections implicated several other dairy producers.

(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2008)