Recent studies suggest Neocate formula ingredients may not be able to meet the nutritional needs of infants and young children, possibly putting them at risk for serious bone injuries.

According to Neocate’s website, Neocate is a unique alternative formula for infants and children with severe allergies to soy, dairy and other sensitives, which has been sold in the United States since 1995.

This is because the Neocate formula ingredients are completely broken down into amino acids, which prevents allergic reactions.  According to the Neocate website, 100 percent free amino acids are the simplest building blocks of protein that are the easiest to absorb into the body.

While carrying minimal risks to the infant or child, the company’s website states the formula contains “essential nutrients your child needs to grow.”

Overview of Neocate Formula Deficiency Problems

Manufactured by Nutricia North America, the Neocate formula is advertised as “hypoallergenic” and “nutritionally complete for infants 0-2 months” and that the formula “supports normal growth and development.”

However, this has allegedly not been the case for many children who have allegedly developed bone phosphorus deficiency and rickets.  The Neocate products that have been allegedly causing infants and children bone deficiency problems include:

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

According to a 2017 study by Yale University and the Mayo Clinic, infants drinking Neocate formulas with the amino acid formulas had a higher tendency to have lower blood phosphate levels, which can develop into a condition called hypophosphatemia.

Low phosphate levels in the blood can cause bones to weaken or deteriorate and cause low bone density. These conditions can result in skeletal deformities and broken bones.

The study was published in the medical journal Bone, which found that 94 percent of 51 children who had been fed Neocate infant formula as their main nutritional source had developed broken bones, low phosphate levels or rickets.

Rickets occurs when the bones soften and weaken in the patient. Rickets is typically caused by a severe lack of vitamin D deficiency, which makes it difficult for the patient to maintain sufficient calcium and phosphorus levels in the bones, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Vitamin D encourages the body to absorb calcium and phosphorus from the gastrointestinal tract, which essentially means that it prevents too much of these substances from being broken down during digestion.

Due to the fact that rickets softens growth plates at the end of bones, it can cause skeletal deformities in children such as bowed legs, thickened wrists or ankles, and breastbone projection.

According to the researchers of the study, “most all improved with the addition of supplemental phosphate or change to a different formula.”

However, this was not the only study indicating that the Neocate formula ingredients were insufficient for children. Another study found that phosphorous levels are just as vital as calcium when it comes to bone development.

This study was published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition in 2002 and found that calcium and phosphorous were “co-dependent” for bone development because the latter helps the body get all the benefits from calcium.

With this in mind, parents who feed their infants or children Neocate formulas should be wary for any signs of rickets and seek medical attention if their children suffer unexpected bone fractures.