China milk powder scare intensifies in Shanghai

Hong Kong: As many as five per cent of babies in Shanghai could have kidney stones after drinking tainted milk formula, according to media reports on Friday.

China is battling public alarm and international dismay after thousands of Chinese children were hospitalised after falling sick from drinking milk that contained melamine.

"A recent city-wide health check of children under three years old showed about five percent were diagnosed with symptoms of possible kidney stones after being fed contaminated powdered milk," the China Daily reported.

At least 13,000 children have been hospitalised and four have died, according to China's Health Ministry.

In Hong Kong, the government said a fifth child was suffering kidney problems related to drinking tainted milk.