The Nutricia U.S. company has been under fire for its elemental baby formula that has been linked to Neocate bone disease in infants.

The company learned in the last couple of years that there have been several cases of Neocate bone disease, rickets, bone malformation, and broken bones reported in children who have relied upon the formula for their complete nutrition.

Nutricia is a stateside division of the global giant Group Danone, a multi-billion dollar business producing Neocate elemental baby formula. The formula was marketed as a viable alternative for babies and children that otherwise would react to cow’s milk products or have sensitivities to other foods.

It was advertised as a source of all necessary nutrients to completely support the human body reliant upon it as a sole source of food. But according to aftermarket reports, Neocate may not get enough phosphorus into the body to support the skeletal system—possibly leading to Neocate bone disease and an excess of fractures. On the extreme end of the spectrum, infants purportedly run the risk of skeletal deformities.

When the Nutricia management learned of reports of broken bones, Neocate bone disease, failure to thrive, rickets, and structural issues that those reliant upon their baby formula were showing, an investigation was initiated. Experts were hired to discover what the issue was with the substitute formula, but no follow-up warning went out to the consuming public.

According to reports, the company rather chose to quietly make new formulations that would provide more phosphorus. Parents and guardians of infants that had been taking the previous versions and suffered injuries were left wondering what was the cause of these health problems. Quiet substitution did nothing to offer them answers.

The problem with this elemental baby formula was identified by a research study whose data was published in the medical journal Bone in 2017. The review referred to the injured as having hypophosphatemia, or low blood phosphate.

The study examined 51 children that were totally dependent upon the formula for their complete nutritional needs. Of those children, the study says a full 94 percent were discovered to have some bone-related symptoms or blood work indicating a concerning lack of the bone-building material.

To remedy the situation with the children in the study, supplemental phosphorus was given or they were entirely switched to a different baby formula. Regardless of which option was chosen, the infants improved.

While it is common knowledge that calcium is a necessary component of bone health, research published early in the new millennium underscored the importance of maintaining a delicate balance between calcium and phosphorus. The latter mineral, according to the research, brings out the bone-building benefits of calcium. Calcium does not work optimally by itself.

Children injured after a diet of Neocate may require expensive medical intervention for years. Parents of these children may be able to seek compensation from Nutricia to pay for these expenses and allay the pain and suffering they have experienced.