Neocate baby formula has unfortunately been linked with some serious complications for the infants that take it, including Neocate rickets, or the softening of bones.

Neocate baby formula is a type of hypoallergenic formula used for infants who are allergic to certain ingredients in more traditional baby formulas based on milk or soy. Neocate is made by Nutricia North America. Recent claims allege that the product causes Neocate rickets. 

This baby formula has been advertised as offering complete nutrition for these children. Indeed, marketing claims made about the formula include “hypoallergenic and nutritionally complete,” “same nutrition of a regular baby/toddler formula,” and “supports normal growth and development.”

Side Effects of Neocate

Unfortunately, Neocate is not with its risks. Indeed, Neocate baby formula has been associated with a number of serious and long-lasting problems for babies, including:

• Neocate rickets
• Broken bones
• Skeletal deformities
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Stunted growth
• Hypophosphatemia (low blood phosphate levels)
• Long-term skeletal damage

Risk of Neocate Rickets

One Neocate study published in 2017 in the journal Bone showed a link between Neocate baby formula and low levels of blood phosphate, a condition also known as hypophosphatemia. This, in turn, can lead to further problems, including extremely low bone density, Neocate rickets, and more.

The study, which was conducted by researchers at Yale University and the Mayo Clinic, found that children using Neocate did not absorb phosphate from the formula very well, quickly leading to low blood phosphate levels.

The study looked at a group of 51 children across North America and Ireland taking Neocate baby formula. In 94 percent of these cases, children were found to be suffering from either Neocate rickets, low phosphate levels, or broken bones.

Neocate rickets is a soft bone disease affecting children and is most commonly caused by a deficiency of vitamin D. However, Neocate rickets may also be caused by any deficiency that compromises bone growth, such as low blood phosphorus levels.

Symptoms of Neocate rickets can include delayed growth, as well as pain in the pelvis, legs, or spine, along with weakness of the muscles. Neocate rickets can soften the child’s bones, which can, in turn, cause skeletal deformities. These issues may include anything from knock knees and bowed legs to thickened wrists. Damage from Neocate rickets may be permanent.

Researchers further noted that “most all improved with the addition of supplemental phosphate or change to a different formula.”

For children taking the Neocate baby formula, researchers “strongly recommended careful monitoring.”

Filing a Neocate Rickets Lawsuit

If your child has suffered from Neocate rickets, or other serious side effects after taking the Neocate baby formula, you may be able to file a lawsuit. While filing a lawsuit cannot undo the damage caused by Neocate side effects, it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden inevitably caused by medical expenses.