Use Of Soy-based Formula Research Articles

Use of Soy-Based Formulas and Cow's Milk Allergy: Lights and Shadows.

Soybean (Glycine max) is a species of legume native to East Asia and used in childhood diet for over 2,000 years in the East. Soy protein formulas have been available for almost a century. Nowadays, the increase in cow's milk allergy and vegetarian dietary preferences are driving consumers toward cow's milk alternatives. In this paper, we reviewed the nutritional composition of soy-based infant formula and discussed their possible use in pediatric age, mainly focusing on prevention and treatment of cow's milk allergy. Protein quality is determined by digestibility and amino acid content. Purified or concentrated vegetable proteins (e.g., soy protein and gluten) have high digestibility (>95%), similar to those of animal ones. For some intact vegetable products (e.g., whole cereals and pulses), protein digestibility is lower (80–90%). Food processing and heat treatment also influence protein digestibility. Considering these data, we tried to evaluate the possible use of soybean and derivatives in pediatric age, including the nutritional composition of soy formulas and the clinical indications for their use. Moreover, since plant-based beverages are being perceived as healthy by consumers and their use is growing on the market, we recommend that soy drink should not be used as a substitute for infant formulas or cow's milk in children younger than 24 months.

Soy-Based Infant Formula: Are Phyto-Oestrogens Still in Doubt?

Although Scientific Societies have stated that there are very few indications for the use of soy-based formula (SF) in infant nutrition, their utilization rates have been repeatedly found to be higher than expected. It is likely that a significant role in this regard is played by the belief that the use of SF during infancy can reduce the risk of the development of several diseases later in life. Although no definitive data that can substantiate these claims have been collected, many people perceive soy consumption to confer significant health benefits and might also use soy for infant nutrition. However, not all the problems regarding safety of SF in infants have been definitively solved. Among risks, the potentially toxic role of the phyto-oestrogens contained in SF is not definitively established. In vitro and animal studies have raised suspicions that SF could have potentially negative effects on sexual development and reproductive function, neurobehavioral development, immune function, and thyroid function. Several studies in humans have aimed to assess whether the results of animal studies can be applied to humans and whether SF can be used in infants following the official recommendations. The results are somewhat conflicting. The aim of this narrative review is to discuss what is presently known regarding the impact of phyto-oestrogens in SF on early and late child development. PubMed was used to search for the studies published from January 1980 to June 2017 using the keywords: “soy,” “soy formula,” “child,” “phytoestrogens.” Analysis of the literature showed that a global evaluation of the impact of modern SFs on human development seems to suggest that their use is not associated with relevant abnormalities. Only children with congenital hypothyroidism need adequate monitoring of thyroid function.

Early postnatal genistein administration permanently affects nitrergic and vasopressinergic systems in a sex-specific way

Genistein (GEN) is a natural xenoestrogen (isoflavonoid) that may interfere with the development of estrogen-sensitive neural circuits. Due to the large and increasing use of soy-based formulas for babies (characterized by a high content of GEN), there are some concerns that this could result in an impairment of some estrogen-sensitive neural circuits and behaviors. In a previous study, we demonstrated that its oral administration to female mice during late pregnancy and early lactation induced a significant decrease of nitric oxide synthase-positive cells in the amygdala of their male offspring. In the present study, we have used a different experimental protocol mimicking, in mice, the direct precocious exposure to GEN. Mice pups of both sexes were fed either with oil, estradiol or GEN from birth to postnatal day 8. Nitric oxide synthase and vasopressin neural systems were analyzed in adult mice. Interestingly, we observed that GEN effect was time specific (when compared to our previous study), sex specific, and not always comparable to the effects of estradiol. This last observation suggests that GEN may act through different intracellular pathways.Present results indicate that the effect of natural xenoestrogens on the development of the brain may be highly variable: a plethora of neuronal circuits may be affected depending on sex, time of exposure, intracellular pathway involved, and target cells. This raises concern on the possible long-term effects of the use of soy-based formulas for babies, which may be currently underestimated.

Early administration of the phytoestrogen genistein induces sex specific permanent alterations of nitrergic and vasopressinergic systems

Soy foods contain phytoestrogens as genistein (GEN) which may interfere with endocrine system and, during developmental critical periods, lead to permanent alterations of estrogen sensitive hypothalamic circuits. In a previous study, we demonstrated that GEN exposure through mothers resulted in an anxiolytic effect and a concurrent decrease of neural NO synthase (nNOS)+ cells in amygdale of male offspring [1]. This was consistent with both the role of NOS system in anxiety regulation and its sensitivity to gonadal hormones. In the present experiment, we analyzed anxiety levels and changes of neuronal circuits in mice directly fed with vehicle, Estradiol (E2) or GEN from birth (postnatal day 0, PND0) to PND8. Behavioral tests were conducted at PND60 and the mice were sacrificed at PND90. Coronal serial sections were processed for immunohistochemistry against nNOS and vasopressin (AVP). The GEN treatment had a dichotomic behavioral effects on sexes: anxiolitic on females while anxiogenic on males. Concurrently nNOS+ and AVP+ cell density in some hypothalamic nuclei was affected. Interestingly only a few of those effects were mimicked by E2 treatment suggesting that GEN may act trough different intracellular pathways.These results raise concerns about the possible long-term effects of soy-based food in livestock that largely use soy-based supplements and show hypo-fertility problems, as pigs. Similar concerns could involve the long-term use of soy-based formulas for babies.

A Comprehensive Review of Sensitization and Allergy to Soy-Based Products

Since 1943, cases of sensitization or allergy to soy-based formulas (SBFs) have been described without any consensus on their real prevalence. We identified the adjusted prevalence of IgE-mediated soy allergies in children and performed a secondary analysis of the impact of age (less than and more than 6months). We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis of studies published from 1909 to 2013 in PubMed, Embase, LILACS, ARTEMISA, Cochrane, Bandolier, DARE and the GRADE system for grading quality. Results are presented in tables and graphs using a forest plot. The 40 studies identified established weighted prevalence of soy allergies of 0 to 0.5% (0.27) for the general population, 0.4 to 3.1% (1.9) for the referred population, and 0 to 12.9% (2.7) for allergic children. Prevalence of sensitization after the use of SBFs is 8.7 and 8.8%, depending on the method used. The prevalence of allergies to soy and IgE sensitization to the use of SBFs is less than reported. Not enough evidence exists to show a higher risk of allergy in infants younger than 6months. The concern about soy allergy is no reason to postpone the use of SBFs in IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy infants until the age of 6months.

Infantile colic: Is there a role for dietary interventions?

Infantile colic is a behavioural syndrome of early childhood that is associated with irritability and crying. It self-resolves, but may lead to significant parental strife. The etiology is unknown; however, several investigators have examined the effect of nutrition on infantile colic. For the majority of infants, nutritional interventions appear to have no benefit on infantile colic. However, a minority of infants may display symptoms of infantile colic secondary to a cow's milk protein allergy. In these cases, a maternal hypoallergenic diet for breastfed infants and an extensively hydrolyzed formula for bottle-fed infants may result in resolution of colic. There is no proven role for the use of soy-based formulas or of lactase therapy in the management of infantile colic, and these interventions are not recommended. Currently, there are insufficient data to make a recommendation on the effect of probiotics for infantile colic. In all cases of infantile colic, it is important to ensure that there is sufficient parental support available.

Concerns for the use of soy-based formulas in infant nutrition

Concerns for the use of soy-based formulas in infant nutrition

Caution With Committee Recommendations for Soy Protein–Based Formulas

To the Editor. — In the May 2008 issue of Pediatrics , Drs Bhatia and Greer and the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition1 made some broad recommendations on the use of soy-based formula. They indicate that breastfeeding remains the “formula” of choice and smartly reinforce that there are only rare indications (galactosemia, congenital lactase deficiency, and vegetarian dieting) when a switch to soy is clearly preferred over cow milk–based formula. However, we …

The Cochrane Library and dietary prevention of allergic disease and food hypersensitivity in children: an umbrella review

AbstractBackgroundDietary interventions, including avoiding allergy‐inducing foods in pregnant or lactating women and their infants, and the use dietary modifications such as prebiotics and probiotics, may prevent sensitization and subsequent allergic disease and food hypersensitivity in infants.ObjectivesTo determine the evidence from Cochrane Systematic Reviews for dietary interventions for the primary prevention of clinical allergic disease or food hypersensitivity.MethodsThe Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was searched for systematic reviews examining prevention of allergic disease and/or food hypersensitivity. Two reviewers independently assessed review quality, reviewed assessments of study quality and extracted reported data.Main resultsSix reviews were eligible. All reviews had concerns regarding the methodological quality of included studies and several had insufficient numbers of enrolled infants to provide precise estimates of effect. There is insufficient evidence to support the use and safety of maternal dietary allergen restriction during pregnancy and/or lactation for prevention of allergic disease in high‐risk infants. In high‐risk infants unable to be exclusively breast‐fed, there is some evidence for use of a hydrolysed infant formula for prevention of allergic disease, although the evidence is not conclusive. Evidence suggests that soy‐based infant formula should not be recommended. One trial of prebiotic supplemented formula reported a significant reduction in eczema up to 6 months of age. Meta‐analysis of 5 trials of probiotic supplements found a significant reduction in infant eczema, although trial results were heterogeneous.Authors' conclusionsIn high‐risk infants, there is no evidence to support the use of dietary interventions in pregnant or lactating women, or the use of soy‐based formula in infants for prevention of allergic disease. There is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of prebiotics or probiotics. Further trials of hydrolysed infant formula, prebiotics and probiotics are warranted. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Widespread Use of Soy-Based Formula Without Clinical Indications

Widespread Use of Soy-Based Formula Without Clinical Indications

Widespread Use of Soy‐Based Formula Without Clinical Indications

In view of reports of the growing popularity of soy-based formula for infants, we examined soy consumption and its possible overuse during early infancy in central Israel. Mothers of 1,803 infants aged 2, 4, 6 and 12 months attending well-baby clinics participated in a telephone survey covering background data, rate, duration, and pattern of soy-based formula use and the reasons for its initiation. The reasons were grouped into those based on the recommendations of the medical personnel and those based on mothers' initiative, and evaluated according to infants' age at soy-based formula initiation (0 to 1, 2 to 4 and 5 to 12 months). The symptoms that prompted soy-based formula use were assessed quantitatively. The rate of soy-based formula use was 10.4% at 2 months and 31.5% at 12 months (P<0.001); 70.6%+/- 2.7% of the infants were given soy for>6 months. Regardless of infants' age, the role of the mothers in the decision to use soy-based formula was greater than that of the medical personnel, and increased significantly with age (chi for trend=0.018). A suspicion of cow's milk allergy was responsible for only 10.9% (7/64) of all soy initiations in infants aged 5 to 12 months. In all ages, occasional symptoms, mainly diarrhea (33.3%) and colic (19.8%), were the leading cause for recommending soy-based formula by medical personnel, whereas the personal preference without clinical justification was the leading cause among mothers. The use of soy-based formula in central Israel is extensive and continues for long periods, with rates far beyond clinical indications. Mothers play a greater role than medical personnel in the decision to initiate soy-based formula.