Infant Hypophosphatemia Can Lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Could a lack of phosphorous, potassium, and sodium due to feeding children Neocate baby formula cause sudden infant death?

Monday, October 29, 2018 - Most pediatricians by now should know that Neocate infant formula should be used only as a dietary supplement and should not be considered as the sole source of nutrition for young children suffering from certain food allergies. Neocate has been frequently prescribed for infants with cow's milk allergies and soy intolerance, however, the formula lacks the complete nutrition an infant needs to develop properly. Neocate is lacking in sodium, potassium and phosphorous. There have been reports of this deficiency leading to a condition called hypophosphatemia (HPT). HPT is defined as "a serum phosphate level of less than 2.5 mg/dL (0.8 mmol/L) in adults. Phosphate is critical for a remarkably wide array of cellular processes. It is one of the major components of the skeleton, providing mineral strength to bone." HPT can result in a child's skeletal system failing to develop normally resulting in bone fractures and permanent deformities. One of the conditions HPT leads to is rickets. HPT is also suspected as a cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS as a cause of mortality in children.

The National Institute of Health cites peer-reviewed studies that indicate that feeding infants Neocate infant formula exclusively as a substitute for cow's milk can result in HPT. The agency's report entitled "Unexpected widespread hypophosphatemia and bone disease associated with elemental formula (EF) use in infants and children." The elemental formula most frequently used is Neocate. In this ground-breaking report, a link has been found between babies given Neocate developing HPT. A link has also been made between HPT and SIDS. Neonate babies or babies 4 weeks old or younger are at the greatest risk of developing HPT as their ability to absorb nutrition is not as of yet perfected. Neocate can exacerbate SIDs because of its inherent phosphorous deficiencies.

The NIH reports, "A reason for suspecting hypophosphatemia as the cause for SIDS is because neonates are extremely prone to developing hypophosphatemia as shown in numerous publications (e.g. (5-8). A very brief period of stress, like separation from the mother or a brief period of illness, can result in phosphaturia severe enough to result in the loss of 50% of the free phosphate pool within 24 hours. This results in an immediate drop in blood phosphate levels. Worse, this hypophosphatemia can subsequently become aggravated over the course of 1-2 weeks without obvious visible symptoms and despite the resumption of normal eating behavior, something not reported in older subjects."

Parents that have fed their children Neocate infant formula products and have suffered the devastating loss of their child should consult with a Neocate attorney to see if they have a case for monetary compensation and also to hold Nutricia, the maker of Neocate, responsible for failing to warn doctors and parents of the phosphorous deficiencies of their baby formula. Parents feeding their infant children Neocate should immediately consult their physician for guidance before making changes to the child's diet.

More Recent Neocate Baby Formula Lawsuit News:

• Neocate May Be Viewed as a Dietary Supplement Rather Than a Sole Source of Infant Nutrition | 10/27/2018
• Doctors Choose Neocate For Infants With Cow's Milk Allergy | 10/23/2018
• Children Given Neocate May Develop Rickets | 10/18/2018
• Neocate Baby Formula May Cause Childhood Bone Deformity | 10/10/2018

No-Cost, No-Obligation Neocate Lawsuit Case Review If You or a Loved One Suffered from Neocate Bone Complications

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