Soy formula may hit reproductive system

Washington, March 13: Mothers, take note! Feeding infants, especially girls, soy- based formula can changes differences in some reproductive-system cells and tissues, a study has found.

Although the differences in the months after birth were subtle and not a cause for alarm, there is a need to investigate the longterm effects of exposure to oestrogen- like compounds found in soybased formulae, researchers said.

“Soy formula contains high concentrations of plant- based oestrogen like compounds, and because this formula is the sole food source for many babies in the first six months of life, it’s important to understand the effects of exposure to such compounds during a critical period in development,” said Virginia A Stallings, from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia ( CHOP) in the US.

“Modern soy formula has been used safely for decades. However, our observational study found subtle effects in oestrogen- responsive tissues in soy- fed infants, and we don't know if these differences are associated with long- term health effects,” said Margaret A Adgent, from Vanderbilt University in the US.

Some mothers who do not breastfeed have long used soy formula as an alternative to cow- milk formula, often from concerns about milk allergies or other feeding difficulties.