Consumption of soy-based infant formula is not associated with early onset of puberty

PurposeThe use of soy products is common in young children with cow milk allergy (CMA). The aim was to examine prospectively the association between infantile consumption of soy-based formula, growth parameters and early pubertal signs, in comparison to cow milk-based formula.MethodsA nested case-control study was conducted, selected from a cohort of infants prospectively followed from birth until the age of 3years for eating habits and the development of IgE-mediated CMA. Infants who consumed only soy-based formula were included in the soy group. The control group was randomly selected from those without IgE-CMA and not receiving soy formula. Study participants were reevaluated between ages 7.8 and 10.5years by an interview, nutritional intake by 3days diaries, and height, weight, and pubertal signs by physical examination.ResultsThe soy-fed group included 29 participants (17 males), median age 8.92years IQR (8.21, 9.42). The control group included 60 participants (27 males), median age 8.99years IQR (8.35, 9.42). The groups had comparable height and BMI z scores (-0.171.08 versus -0.16 +/- 1.01, p=0.96, and 0.67 +/- 1.01 versus 0.53 +/- 1.02, p=0.56, for soy and control groups, respectively). Four (three males and one female) from the soy-group (13.8%) and eight females from the control-group (13.3%) had early pubertal signs (p=0.95). No association was detected between puberty and infantile nutrition, after controlling for BMI and family data. No association with puberty or differences between groups were found in current daily consumption of soy, micronutrients, energy, carbohydrates, fat, and protein.ConclusionsThis is the first prospective, physical examination-based study, demonstrating no association between infantile soy-based formula consumption and growth and puberty parameters.