Neocate baby formula is advertised as being a safe alternative for infants that cannot take traditional milk- and soy-based formulas, but recent studies have shown that Neocate formula itself may pose some severe risks.

Recent studies suggest that Neocate baby formula side effects may include rickets, nutritional deficiencies, or others.

Neocate Baby Formula: The Basics

Neocate baby formula is a type of formula for infants and young children who cannot take formulas made from typical ingredients, milk, or soy. Instead, Neocate and other elemental formulas like it are broken down into amino acids, which is supposed to ensure that the formula avoids causing allergic reactions or any other intolerant reaction.

Neocate baby formula has a number of separate lines, including Neocate Syneo Infant, Neocate Infant DHA/ARA, Neocate Nutra, Neocate Junior, Neocate Junior with Probiotics, and Neocate Splash.

Neocate is manufactured by Nutricia North America, which advertises their baby formula as a “hypoallergenic” option. Nutricia further claims in its marketing that Neocate is nutritionally complete for infants up to 12 months old and that it supports normal growth and development.

Unfortunately, in the last few years, the Neocate baby formula has been linked to low blood phosphate levels, or hypophosphatemia. A recent study published in the journal Bone in 2017 showed this link between Neocate formula and hypophosphatemia, which can lead to low bone density and cause major complications like rickets, broken bones, skeletal deformities, or stunted growth.

The study, conducted by Yale University and the Mayo Clinic, found that children using Neocate did not absorb the phosphate in the formula very well. Indeed, of the 51 children included in the study taking Neocate formula as their primary food course, 94 percent developed rickets or broken bones, or showed low phosphate levels.

Rickets is a condition involving the softening and weakening of children’s bones, which can lead to more severe and permanent bone problems. More than half of bone is made up of phosphorus.

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

Neocate Baby Formula Side Effects

Severe and dangerous side effects that have been associated with Neocate baby formula include the following:

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

Filing a Neocate Formula Lawsuit

Many parents do not know of Neocate’s association with low phosphate levels and the resulting side effects, and so may not realize their children’s bone weakness complications may have been caused by Neocate usage.

If your child has suffered from these or other serious Neocate baby formula side effects, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot undo the pain and suffering of children suffering from such complications, but litigation can at least help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses, as well as hold those responsible accountable for their actions.