Neocate® Infant Formula is a hypoallergenic, amino acid-based product that is often recommended for children who cannot digest cow milk or have certain food allergies. However, it is now alleged that Neocate® Infant Formula lacks the necessary levels of phosphorous to promote healthy bone development. As a result, the use of this product has been linked to serious medical conditions including rickets, skeletal deformity, and hypophosphatemia.
The Link to Rickets & Hypophosphatemia
In April 2017, the orthopedic medical journal BONE published a study about the medical complications associated with Neocate® products. Researchers examined 51 children who were exclusively fed Neocate® or whose diets were largely supplemented by this product and discovered that 94% of them had developed rickets. For children, this skeletal disorder is characterized by the softening and weakening of bones due to a deficiency in vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. These nutrients are essential elements in the development of strong and healthy bones.
Rickets can result in:
- Broken bones
- Stunted growth
- Muscle weakness
- Skeletal deformities
In March 2016, physicians were warned that babies using Neocate ® as a primary or sole source of nutrition “should be routinely monitored.” However, there was no mention of the link to hypophosphatemia, an electrolyte disorder caused by having extremely low levels of phosphate in the blood.
Children suffering from hypophosphatemia can experience the following medical complications:
- Breathing failure
- Arrhythmia
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Rickets
- Muscle dysfunction
- Seizures
Allegedly, Nutricia U.S. has known about these problems since 2015, but failed to alert consumers. Innocent infants, toddlers, and children have been the victims of this company’s failure to warn of the risks associated with Neocate®. Fortunately, the symptoms of hypophosphatemia and rickets can be treated by increasing a child’s intake of phosphate, vitamin D, and/or switching to a new formula.
Pursue Justice & Compensation
If your child has suffered injuries or developed medical complications after using Neocate® as a nutritional source or supplement, contact the Louisville product liability lawyer at Brett H. Oppenheimer, PLLC. Attorney Oppenheimer is a Kentucky lawyer who has been closely involved in several multidistrict litigations against large corporations like Nutricia.
Contact Brett H. Oppenheimer, PLLC at (502) 242-8877 or fill out the contact form on this page if you’re interested in discussing your child’s potential case.