Abstract
Soy milk formula is a formula which contains soybean as a substitute for cow's milk protein. Consumption of soy formula has caused widespread concern especially related to the effect of isoflavones. We aimed to determine the correlation of plasma estradiol level and to compare physical growth in children who consumed soy milk formula with children who consumed cow's milk formula. This was a case-control study of children aged six months to two years old who were treated at pediatric outpatient clinic in Sanglah Hospital and private pediatric outpatient clinic in Denpasar from April to July 2015. Subjects were divided into children who consumed soy milk formula and children who consumed cow’s milk formula. Data regarding physical examination, anthropometric measurements, diet types and estradiol level were obtained. Total 28 subjects enrolled. We found significant difference in estradiol level between the two groups (OR: 0.33; p = 0.001; 95% CI = 0.17 - 0.64). We found no significant difference in sexual development between those two groups (OR: 1.25; p = 0.12; 95% CI = 0.92 - 1.71). Furthermore we found no significantly different in physical growth of subjects who consumed soy milk formula compared to cow's milk formula (p>0.05). Soy milk formula consumption did not associated with significant difference of sexual development and growth in children consuming soy milk compared to cow’s milk. However, it related to increament of estradiol level.
Highlights
Soy milk formula is a special formula which contains soybean as a substitution for cow's milk protein [1]
Among 28 respondents, 9 children (32%) consumed breast milk which was interspersed with soy milk formula
One concern related to the consumption of soy milk formula is associated with exposure of phytoestrogens in soy formula that may mimic or alter estradiol metabolism and modifies process affected by estradiol [4,5,6,7]
Summary
Soy milk formula is a special formula which contains soybean as a substitution for cow's milk protein [1]. Several indications for the usage of soy milk formula in infants and children include cow's milk allergy, galactosemia, vegetarian diet and various digestive problems such as lactose intolerance [2]. Soy protein contains isoflavones which has estrogenic activity known as phytoestrogens. Some concerns about soy formula are associated with isoflavones, which can bind to estrogen receptors and have structure and hormonal effect that resemble endogenous hormones 17 β-estradiol [3]. There is a concern that phytoestrogens in soy formula will mimic or alter estradiol metabolism and modifies process affected by estradiol [4,5,6,7]. Some research stated that soy milk contains lower protein than cow’s milk and phytate which can damage important ions such as zinc and reduce essential micronutrient absorption from the gastrointestinal tract [8]
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