Infant formula
Infant formula ( 5 Questions)
A client is considering switching from breast milk to soy-based infant formula for her 4-month-old infant who has a cow’s milk allergy.
What should the nurse inform the client about soy-based infant formula?
Soy-based formula may cause less gas and bloating than cow’s milk formula, since it does not contain lactose, which some babies have trouble digesting.
It may increase the risk of developing peanut allergy later in life. According to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, infants who were fed soy-based formula had a higher risk of developing peanut allergy than those who were fed cow’s milk formula or breast milk.
Soy-based formula provides adequate iron and calcium for the infant’s growth, as well as other nutrients such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Soy-based formula is also fortified with iron to prevent iron deficiency anemia.
Soy-based formula does not interfere with thyroid function and hormone synthesis in healthy infants. However, infants with congenital hypothyroidism who are taking thyroid medication may need to adjust their dosage if they are fed soy-based formula, since soy can affect the absorption of the medication.
It may increase the risk of developing peanut allergy later in life. According to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, infants who were fed soy-based formula had a higher risk of developing peanut allergy than those who were fed cow’s milk formula or breast milk.
This may be because soy and peanut are both legumes and share some common proteins that can trigger allergic reactions.
Choice A is wrong because soy-based formula may cause less gas and bloating than cow’s milk formula, since it does not contain lactose, which some babies have trouble digesting.
Choice C is wrong because soy-based formula provides adequate iron and calcium for the infant’s growth, as well as other nutrients such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Soy-based formula is also fortified with iron to prevent iron deficiency anemia.
Choice D is wrong because soy-based formula does not interfere with thyroid function and hormone synthesis in healthy infants. However, infants with congenital hypothyroidism who are taking thyroid medication may need to adjust their dosage if they are fed soy-based formula, since soy can affect the absorption of the medication.
Therefore, these infants should be monitored closely by their doctor.