Bone mineral content of infants fed soy-based formula.
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.
Bainbridge
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Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH 45267-0541.
Mimouni
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Tsang
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D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D002417:Cattle; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008892:Milk; D008895:Milk, Human; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis*; D013025:Glycine max
D008903:Minerals