Lower Bone Density in Infants fed Soy Formula
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Soy Formula may cause Lower Bone Density in Infants:

1) Reduced bone mineralization in infants fed palm olein-containing formula: a randomized, double-blinded, prospective trial.
Koo WW, Hammami M, Margeson DP, Nwaesei C, Montalto MB, Lasekan JB. Department of Pediatrics, Hutzel Hospital, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA. wkoo@wayne.edu, Pediatrics. 2003 May;111(5 Pt 1):1017-23.

Palm and palm olein (PO) oils are used in some infant formula fat blends to match the fatty acid profile of human milk, but their presence has been shown to lower calcium and fat absorption. Healthy term infants fed a formula containing PO as the predominant oil in the fat blend had significantly lower BMC and BMD than those fed a formula without PO. The inclusion of PO in infant formula at levels needed to provide a fatty acid profile similar to that of human milk leads to lower bone mineralization.

2) Soy Protein-based Formulas: Recommendations for use in Infant Feeding
American Academy of Pediatrics: Committee on Nutrition, Pediatrics, Vol. 101, No.1, Jan, 1998

Page 149: When combined with concerns about aluminum toxicity, the failure to achieve equivalent growth rates or albumin levels consistently and the reduced bone mineralization lead to the conclusion that soy protein-based formulas should not be fed to preterm or low birth weight infants.

3) Potential aluminium toxicity in infants fed special infant formula
Hawkins NM, Coffey S, Lawson MS, Delves HT, Medical Unit, Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom, J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1994 Nov;19(4):377-81.

Aluminium was measured in samples of plasma and samples of feed obtained from 74 infants with normal renal function established on various feeds (breast, whey-based, fortified whey-based, preterm, soy, and casein hydrolysate). All infants were bolus fed, and blood samples were collected midway between feeds. Aluminium was measured using electrothermal atomization and atomic absorption spectrometry. Mean aluminium concentrations in milks were as follows: breast, 9.2 micrograms/L [95% confidence interval (CI), 5.6-12.7]; whey-based, 165 micrograms/L (95% CI, 151-180); fortified, 161 micrograms/L (95% CI, 143-180); preterm, 300 micrograms/L (95% CI, 272-328); soy, 534 micrograms/L (95% CI, 470-598); casein hydrolysate, 773 micrograms/L (95% CI, 632-914). Mean plasma aluminium concentrations in infants receiving different milks were as follows: breast, 8.6 micrograms/L (95% CI, 5.6-10.6); whey-based, 9.2 micrograms/L (95% CI, 7.4-11.0); fortified, 10.3 micrograms/L (95% CI, 8.3-12.3); preterm, 9.7 micrograms/L (95% CI, 5.3-17.1); soy, 12.5 micrograms/L (95% CI, 5.0-20.0); casein hydrolysate, 15.2 micrograms/L (95% CI, 10.7-19.8). Mean plasma aluminium concentration was significantly different in infants fed casein hydrolysate formulae than in those fed breast milk (difference, 6.7 micrograms/L; 95% CI, 2.8-10.5; p = 0.028). We conclude that infants may be at risk from aluminium toxicity when consuming formula containing > 300 micrograms/L--in particular, casein hydrolysate formulae. We speculate that the aluminium compounds found in breast milk are more bioavailable than those found in other milks and that some constituents of infant formula affect aluminium absorption from the gut lumen.

4) Bone mineral content of infants fed soy-based formula.
Bainbridge RR, Mimouni F, Tsang RC. Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH, J Pediatr. 1988 Jul;113(1 Pt 2):205-7.

We compared the results of two studies that measured the bone mineral content (BMC) of 57 infants fed soy-based formula and 27 infants fed human milk or cow milk-based formula at various ages from 2 weeks to 1 year. In a study by Chan et al., the BMC of 40 white infants fed soy-based formula and 10 infants (of unstated race) fed human milk was measured at 2 weeks and at 2 and 4 months of age. The infants fed soy-based formula also had BMC measured at 6 and 12 months; the BMC of these infants was compared to the BMC of human milk-fed historical control subjects. The BMC was similar at 2 weeks in both groups but was lower in infants fed soy-based formula than in human milk-fed infants at 2 and 4 months. The BMC was similar in historical control subjects fed human milk and in soy formula-fed infants at 6 and 12 months. In the Steichen-Tsang study, the BMC of 17 soy formula-fed infants and of 17 white infants fed cow milk-based formula was measured at 6 weeks and at 3, 6, and 12 months of age. The BMC was similar at 6 weeks in both groups but was lower in infants fed soy-based formula than in those fed cow milk-based formula at 3, 6, and 12 months. The BMC of the historical control group fed human milk and of the soy formula-fed infants was also similar. In the first year of life, the BMC of infants fed soy formula and those fed human milk appears to be similar, especially after 6 months of age. However, the BMC of infants so fed may be lower than that of infants fed cow milk-based formula.

5) Bone mineralization and growth in term infants fed soy-based or cow milk-based formula.
Steichen JJ, Tsang RC, J Pediatr. 1987 May;110(5):687-92.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of a soy protein-based formula versus a cow milk protein-based formula for body growth and skeletal mineralization in the first year of life. Thirty-six healthy, term, appropriate for gestational age infants were assigned randomly and prospectively to one of two feeding groups and observed longitudinally over the first year of life. Group 1 infants (n = 18) were fed soy protein isolate-based formula (Isomil with Iron); group 2 infants (n = 17) were fed a cow milk protein-based formula (Similac with Iron). Group 1 infants had significantly lower BMC and BMC/BW at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of age (P less than 0.05 to P less than 0.0001) compared with group 2 infants.

6) Food intake and growth of infants between six and twenty-six weeks of age on breast milk, cow's milk formula, or soy formula.
Kohler L, Meeuwisse G, Mortensson W, Acta Paediatr Scand. 1984 Jan;73(1):40-8.

In 59 normal infants attending well-baby clinics, food consumption was registered until 26 and growth until 52 weeks of age. They were either breast-fed or formula-fed with a cow's milk product or a soy protein product. The soy formula-fed children, who happened to be 200 g heavier at birth, had lower weight gains during the first 6 weeks than the other two groups. Thereafter, the average weights of the soy formula group did not differ from the other groups. At 3 months, the soy formula-fed children displayed a slower mineralisation and maturation of bone, but the difference was no longer significant when re-examined at 6 months.

7) Aluminum contamination of infant formulas.
Koo WW, Kaplan LA, Krug-Wispe SK, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1988 Mar-Apr;12(2):170-3.

This study aims to determine the extent of aluminum (Al) contamination in whole milk, milk formulas, and other nutrient products commonly used for infants. Highest Al levels (up to 2346 micrograms/liter) were found in highly processed and modified formulas including soy formula, preterm infant formula, and formulas for specific metabolic disorders. We speculate that raw materials such as soybean, additives such as calcium and phosphorus, manufacturing processes and storage containers are potential sources of contamination of infant formulas.

8) Aluminum and bone disorders: with specific reference to aluminum contamination of infant nutrients.
Koo WW, Kaplan LA, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, J Am Coll Nutr. 1988 Jun;7(3):199-214.

Highly processed infant formulas with multiple additives, such as soy formula, preterm infant formula, and formulas for specific disorders are heavily contaminated with Al. The critical level of Al loading causing bone disorders is not known. To minimize tissue burden, Al content of infant nutrients should be similar to whole milk (less than 50 micrograms/L).