Neocate infant formula is supposed to be a safe alternative for infants who have soy and dairy intolerances, containing an amino acid based formula that is supposed to meet a developing body’s nutritional needs.

However, it has been alleged that the Neocate infant formula has not been meeting these nutritional needs and in turn has been linked to serious injuries like bone fractures and baby rickets.

The Neocate infant formula is one of the most popular alternative formulas for infants. This amino acid formula is designed to be digestible for infants with food allergies. However, studies and injury reports indicate the Neocate infant formula could be causing issues for infants and young children.

One of these studies was published in the medical journal Bone, which indicated a correlation between Neocate infant formula and hypophosphatemia. This condition is caused by a lower level of phosphate in the blood, which is just as important for bone development as vitamin D.

Hypophosphatemia can cause conditions like baby rickets. Rickets occurs when the bones become soft and brittle due to a lack of vitamin D, and can put patients at an increased risk for bone fractures.

The study found that 51 children at 17 different institutions that were given amino acid based formulas, most of which were the Neocate infant formula, had reportedly developed hypophosphatemia. According to the results of the study, 94 percent of those cases indicated children had suffered from bone fractures, rickets, and had significantly low mineral levels.

Researchers noted that most of the children improved when they were given a different formula, or given phosphate supplements.

This study, conducted by Yale University and the Mayo Clinic, ultimately found that phosphate in the Neocate infant formula was not absorbed well by infants that were given the formula.

Overview of Neocate Infant Formula Consequences

The link between Neocate and an increased risk of bone fractures may have been behind the fractures a Mississippi boy suffered, which led state authorities to suspect his father of child abuse.

According to a recent report in the Clarion Ledger, a father from Mississippi had been placed under investigation for child abuse after his 10 year old son had suffered multiple unexplained fractures. The child suffered from cerebral palsy and had a variety of medical problems, and is fed using a feeding tube.

Neocate was the child’s main source of food, but was not discovered to be the culprit until the man saw a televised commercial which stated the formula could cause children to develop rickets and bone fractures.

The boy was weaned off Neocate and the Child Services Protection Services (CPS) investigation was closed, but it has left the family traumatized. Manufacturer Nutricia North America could face potential legal action over the allegedly defective Neocate infant formula, as rickets and bone fractures are devastating to a child’s growing body.

The Neocate products that may be linked to phosphorous deficiencies in young children include:

• Neocate Syneo Infant
• Neocate Infant DHA/ARA
• Neocate Nutra
• Neocate Junior
• Neocate Junior with Probiotics
• Neocate Splash