There have been recent reports of Neocate side effects linked to a hypoallergenic infant formula known as Neocate. It is one of the most popular brands used as a substitute formula for babies and young children who are unable to have regular cow’s milk and have a soy allergy. However, recent reports and studies warn of Neocate side effects including bone fractures and rickets in young children.

Neocate side effects have been reported in an instance where a father was accused of child abuse due to unexplained fractures. The man hired an attorney to help him deal with child protective services inquiries.

Ultimately, the father says he discovered that the fractures could have been due to Neocate side effects. He says that he connected his child’s formula to the potential side effects including fractures. The case was then resolved soon after and once the boy had spent five months in the hospital to wean off the formula.

Overview: Neocate Side Effects

Several Neocate side effects have been linked to the hypoallergenic formula given to infants and children who are unable to take traditional baby formulas. In the formula, the proteins are completely broken down into amino acids to prevent any potential allergic reactions or intolerances to the product.

The company and manufacturers of the Neocate product market the formula as “hypoallergenic” and “nutritionally complete for infants 0-12 months.” Claims also made by the company include them stating that the product “supports normal growth and development.”

Neocate side effects have recently been linked to the formula, including:

• Broken bones
• Rickets
• Skeletal deformities
• Stunted Growth
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Hypophosphatemia
• Long-term skeletal damage

Formulas that are part of the Neocate line include:

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

A study published in 2017 in the journal Bone discovered a link between Neocate formula and low blood phosphate levels — a condition known as hypophosphatemia.

Low phosphate levels have been found to be linked to dangerously low bone density, potentially leading to skeletal deformities, broken bones, stunted growth, and rickets. In fact, the study identified 51 children at 17 institutions who developed side effects after consuming amino-acid based formula. Most of them had reportedly been given Neocate. Physicians diagnosed the condition while conducting rickets and fracture evaluations.

According to the researchers, the results “indicated a deficient dietary supply or severe malabsorption of phosphate, despite adequate formula composition. When transition to an alternate formula was possible, biochemical status improved shortly after introduction to the alternate formula, with eventual improvement in skeletal abnormalities.”

Parents of children who take Neocate are being asked to be on the lookout for potential Neocate side effects. Parents are also being asked to check in with their children’s physician regularly to evaluate for their child’s phosphate levels in the blood.