The Neocate hypoallergenic formula is a formula that is designed to help those infants who are not able to consume dairy milk or other kinds of formula.

The connection between the Neocate hypoallergenic formula and rickets has been pointed out recently, reflected in reports from parents who have seen their children suffer broken bones and other unexplained side effects.

The formula itself is often relied upon by parents as a primary source of nutrition if the infant is allergic to other formula kinds. Some parents say that because it is marketed as safe for children who suffer from allergies or specific conditions that they relied upon this formula for their children without any knowledge of the risk of rickets.

Studies of this Neocate hypoallergenic formula, however, indicate that infants could be at risk of a condition known as rickets or broken bones because of a diagnosis of hypophosphatemia. The fragile bones caused by hypophosphatemia can be mistaken for child abuse and can cause a parent’s reputation to be damaged.

One Mississippi father was recently suspected of child abuse after his young son sustained broken bones unexpectedly, including a fractured femur and wrist. The 10 year old boy had been prescribed a diet of Neocate hypoallergenic formula before he sustained the fractures.

After child protective services launched their investigation of the case, the father who had been accused of child abuse found out about the connection between unexplained broken bones and Neocate formula. Further testing of the child in question revealed that the son had a diagnosis of hypophosphatemia. This is a medical condition referring to low phosphate levels in the body.

Extremely low phosphate levels, which could be linked to ingestion of primarily the Neocate hypoallergenic formula, can lead to unexplained bone fractures or rickets. The father who had previously been accused of child abuse found out that his son’s fractures could have been the result of the hypophosphatemia, which may have resulted from the child’s all-Neocate diet.

Neocate is a line of elemental formulas that are prescribed to children and infants who are unable to tolerate soy formulas or cow’s milk. Unfortunately, growing academic and medical research has indicated that there is a connection between the Neocate hypoallergenic formula and hypophosphatemia.

Hypophosphatemia can lead to unexplained fractures or rickets, according to a study published in a 2017 issue of the journal Bone. That study looked at cases involving 51 different children and infants who were diagnosed with hypophosphatemia unexpectedly.

Radiographs for those affected patients indicated under mineralization, fractures, or rickets in up to 94 percent of the cases. The authors in that study recommended that those children who rely on these elemental formula products should be monitored carefully by parents as well as medical professionals as a result of the increased chance of rickets.

Any infant or child who has relied primarily on Neocate hypoallergenic formula as his or her source of nutrition could be at risk for bone fractures or rickets as a result.