Soy infant formula: is it that bad?
The objective of this study is to review the indications of soy infant formula (SIF). Structured review of publications is made available through standard search engines (Pubmed,…). The medical indications for SIF are limited to galactosaemia and hereditary lactase deficiency. In the treatment of cow's milk allergy, SIF is used for economic reasons, as extensive hydrolysates are expensive. SIF is dissuaded mainly because of its phytooestrogen content. Isoflavone serum levels are much higher in SIF-fed infants than in breastfed or cow milk formula-fed infants. Administration of pure isoflavones to animals causes decreased fertility, but clinically relevant adverse effects of SIF in infants are not reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Soy infant formula remains an option for feeding of term born infants if breastfeeding is not possible and if standard infant formula is not tolerated.
Vandenplas
Yvan
Y
Universitair Kinderziekenhuis Brussel, Belgium. yvan.vandenplas@uzbrussel.be
De Greef
Elisabeth
E
Devreker
Thierry
T
Hauser
Bruno
B
D000818:Animals; D005693:Galactosemias / Q000178:diet therapy*; D006801:Humans; D041943:Infant Formula; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D043322:Lactase / Q000172:deficiency*; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000009:adverse effects; D041942:Soy Milk
D048789:Phytoestrogens; D043322:Lactase