Neocate Bone Fractures & Rickets
Neocate is a formula prescribed for children who cannot tolerate milk or other foods. According to the manufacturer, Nutricia, “Neocate formula offers complete hypoallergenic nutrition that is tailored for kids with food allergies…”
According to a 2017 study at Yale, Neocate formulas have been linked to serious bone disorders, low phosphate levels, rickets (vitamin D deficiencies), spontaneous fractures, and broken bones in infants and children.
The Problem with Neocate
In 2016, Neocate’s manufacturer, Nutricia, warned that babies and children taking Neocate formula as a primary or sole source of nutrition “should be routinely monitored by clinicians.” The company did not warn about the possibility of children suffering from bone fractures due to taking the formula. According to a 2017 Yale study, 51 participants who relied solely on Neocate for nutrition showed signs of severe calcium and phosphate deficiencies in their blood. These deficiencies can lead to serious bone conditions such as rickets and fractures.
Who uses Neocate?
Neocate Formula is recommended for infants and children who suffer from:
- Cow milk allergy
- Soy allergy
- Multiple food protein intolerance (MFPI) or Multiple Food Allergies
- Eosinophilic esophagitis (GERD or food allergies)
- Short bowel syndrome and malabsorption
According to the 2017 study at Yale, Neocate formulas have been linked to serious bone disorders, specifically hypophosphatemia and hypocalcemia.
Hypophosphatemia is a condition in which the blood has low levels of phosphates. It occurs with inadequate dietary intake and/or severe malabsorption of phosphates. Symptoms include fatigue, bone pain, bone fracture, and stunted growth in children.
Due to low phosphate levels, children are given phosphate supplements which may cause hypocalcemia, a condition in which the blood has too little calcium. Symptoms include bone issues, such as pain, fragility, and poor development in children.
Both conditions can lead to serious bone disorders, rickets (vitamin D deficiencies), spontaneous fractures, and broken bones in infants and children.
The Yale study concluded that participants who were switched to an alternative formula saw almost immediate improvement in calcium and phosphate levels and eventual improvement in skeletal development.
If your child suffered such injuries while taking Neocate, contact our experienced product liability attorneys at Attorney Group for a free consultation. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
How Attorney Group can Help
We will help you understand your rights and choices. We are concerned for the long-term health of your child. We know you are loving parents only interested in what’s best for your child. You and your doctor placed your faith in the manufacturer’s representations of the safety of this product. It isn’t right that the manufacturer, Nutricia, didn’t warn you or your doctor about the serious risks of using this product on your child. There are much safer alternatives.
If your child suffered such injuries while taking Neocate, contact our experienced product liability attorneys at Attorney Group for a free consultation. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
