Neocate® baby formula has been linked to low phosphate levels in babies and children whose diet includes Neocate®. It appears that parents may have been inadequately warned of certain risks posed by the formula. At Eisbrouch Marsh, our compassionate attorneys are driven by obtaining the best possible results for families who have suffered injury because of a dangerous product. We have years of experience and can let you know what your options are for pursuing compensation for your baby's injury. For a free case review with our experienced Hackensack and Newark lawyers, please call 201-342-5545.
Potential Neocate® Health Risks
Neocate® has been marketed as an alternative protein formula for babies who cannot ingest dairy or soy milk, either because of an allergy or for some other reason.
Evidence shows Neocate® may be linked to several serious issues for infants or young children who ingest it regularly:
- Low phosphate levels in the blood (hypophosphatemia)
- Rickets
- Broken bones
Rickets is a health condition that can be caused by low levels of phosphate. It is marked by weak, soft bones. Vitamin D deficiency is another cause of rickets, because vitamin D helps your body absorb phosphorus from the gastrointestinal tract. Rickets leads to skeletal deformities and may delay a child's growth. Pain can develop in the spine and elsewhere in the body, and muscle weakness is common. The spine may become abnormally curved and a child may require surgery in order to live with the effects of this health condition.
Even when rickets is not the outcome, low phosphate in the blood is problematic. Your child needs this mineral in order to have a healthy, functioning body. Symptoms and complications of low phosphorus include:
- Muscle weakness
- Bone pain
- Confusion
- Respiratory depression
- Heart problems
- Seizures
- Coma
Low phosphate can weaken the bones, which could increase your child's risk of bone fracture. For a young child or infant, a broken bone can cause developmental problems and can be disfiguring.
Study Links Neocate® to Low Phosphate Levels
A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information in 2017 shed light on the issue. The study's subjects were 51 children whose sole food source was Neocate®. They had been diagnosed with low phosphate.
The study's findings? That 94 percent of those children had bone fractures, under-mineralization or rickets. The study's authors noted that, previously, some of the children's skeletal issues had been attributed to underlying disease, yet most of the children improved soon after switching to a new formula or soon after supplemental phosphate was given. The study's authors concluded by saying they strongly recommend careful monitoring when children are ingesting these types of formulas.
Currently Reviewing Neocate® Claims
If your infant or child developed health problems or other issues, and if their diet includes Neocate®, you may have a claim. In a case handled by our attorneys, we seek maximum accountability from the manufacturer based on inadequate warnings and improper labeling, and possibly other issues related to negligence.
For a FREE Neocate® case review, please call the experienced attorneys at Eisbrouch Marsh, at 201-342-5545. We represent clients throughout New Jersey, including Hackensack, Bergen County, Newark and Essex County.
