Soy protein formulas in children: no hormonal effects in long-term feeding.
Recently, the finding of high plasma concentration of phyto-oestrogens in soy protein formula (SPF) fed children has focused scientific attention on the phyto-oestrogens (isoflavones genistein, daidzein, and their glycosides) contained in SPFs. The aim of this study was to evaluate some hormonal and metabolic effects of long-term (more than 6 months) SPF feeding. We enrolled 48 children, mean age 37 months (range 7-96 months), 27 males and 21 females. All children underwent physical examination. Bone age, urinary markers of bone metabolism, serum levels of bone alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, 17beta-oestradiol, and intact parathyroid hormone were measured. Eighteen healthy children represented the control group. No abnormalities were observed in auxological parameters; none of the enrolled girls showed signs/symptoms of precocious puberty and none of the boys presented gynecomastia; bone age was within the normal range. The serum level of bone alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, 17beta-oestradiol, and intact parathyroid hormone, and the urinary levels of the markers of bone metabolism were all within normal values. We conclude that long-term feeding with SPFs in early life does not seem to produce oestrogen-like hormonal effects.
Giampietro
Paolo Gianni
PG
Research Center, S Pietro Hospital Fatebenefratelli, AFaR, Rome, Italy. giampietro@mbox.thunder.it
Bruno
Giovanna
G
Furcolo
Giuseppe
G
Casati
Alessandra
A
Brunetti
Ercole
E
Spadoni
Gian Luigi
GL
Galli
Elena
E
D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D001846:Bone Development; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005835:Genitalia / Q000254:growth & development; D006177:Gynecomastia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000187:drug effects; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects*
D006728:Hormones; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D030262:Soybean Proteins