Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol 9, Issue 2 164-167, Copyright © 1990 by American College of Nutrition

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Breast and soy-formula feedings in early infancy and the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease in children

P. Fort, N. Moses, M. Fasano, T. Goldberg and F. Lifshitz
Department of Pediatrics, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York 11030.

It has been suggested that feeding practices in infancy may affect the development of various autoimmune diseases later in life. Since thyroid alterations are among the most frequently encountered autoimmune conditions in children, we studied whether breast and soy-containing formula feedings in early life were associated with the subsequent development of autoimmune thyroid disease. A detailed history of feeding practices was obtained in 59 children with autoimmune thyroid disease, their 76 healthy siblings, and 54 healthy nonrelated control children. There was no difference in the frequency and duration of breast feeding in early life among the three groups of children. However, the frequency of feedings with soy-based milk formulas in early life was significantly higher in children with autoimmune thyroid disease (prevalence 31%) as compared with their siblings (prevalence 12%; chi 2 = 7.22 with continuity factor; p less than 0.01), and healthy nonrelated control children (prevalence 13%, chi 2 = 5.03 with continuity factor; p less than 0.02). Therefore, this retrospective analysis documents the association of soy formula feedings in infancy and autoimmune thyroid disease.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Dewell, P. L. W. Hollenbeck, and C. B. Hollenbeck A Critical Evaluation of the Role of Soy Protein and Isoflavone Supplementation in the Control of Plasma Cholesterol Concentrations J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2006; 91(3): 772 - 780. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Jefferson, R. Newbold, E. Padilla-Banks, and M. Pepling Neonatal Genistein Treatment Alters Ovarian Differentiation in the Mouse: Inhibition of Oocyte Nest Breakdown and Increased Oocyte Survival Biol Reprod, January 1, 2006; 74(1): 161 - 168. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. I Mennen, R. Walker, C. Bennetau-Pelissero, and A. Scalbert Risks and safety of polyphenol consumption Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, January 1, 2005; 81(1): 326S - 329S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. J. Merritt and B. H. Jenks Safety of Soy-Based Infant Formulas Containing Isoflavones: The Clinical Evidence J. Nutr., May 1, 2004; 134(5): 1220S - 1224S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. W Persky, M. E Turyk, L. Wang, S. Freels, R. Chatterton Jr, S. Barnes, J. Erdman Jr, D. W Sepkovic, H L. Bradlow, and S. Potter Effect of soy protein on endogenous hormones in postmenopausal women Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, January 1, 2002; 75(1): 145 - 153. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. R. Goldman, R. Newbold, S. H. Swan, B. L. Strom, R. Schinnar, K. T. Barnhart, M. D. Sammel, G. A. Macones, and V. A. Stallings Exposure to Soy-Based Formula in Infancy JAMA, November 21, 2001; 286(19): 2402 - 2403. [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. M. Harrison, P. P. Phillippi, K. F. Swan, and M. C. Henson Effect of Genistein on Steroid Hormone Production in the Pregnant Rhesus Monkey Experimental Biology and Medicine, October 2, 1999; 222(1): 78 - 84. [Abstract] [Full Text]