CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1. In term infants whose nutritional needs are not
being met from maternal breast milk or cow milkbased
formulas, isolated soy protein-based formulas
are safe and effective alternatives to provide
appropriate nutrition for normal growth and development.
Isolated soy protein-based formula
has no advantage over cow milk protein-based
formula as a supplement for the breastfed infant.
2. Because soy protein-based formulas are lactosefree,
they are appropriate for use in infants with
galactosemia and hereditary lactase deficiency.
3. Parents seeking a vegetarian-based diet for a term
infant can be advised to use isolated soy proteinbased
formula.
4. Most previously well infants with acute gastroenteritis
can be managed after rehydration with continued
use of human breast milk or standard dilutions
of cow milk-based formulas. Isolated soy
protein-based formulas are indicated when lactose
intolerance has been documented.
5. The routine use of isolated soy protein-based formula
has no proven value in the prevention or
management of infantile colic.
6. The routine use of isolated soy protein-based formula
has no proven value in the prevention of
atopic disease in healthy or high-risk infants.
7. Infants with documented cow milk protein-induced
enteropathy or enterocolitis frequently are
as sensitive to soy protein and should not be given
isolated soy protein-based formula routinely.
They should be provided formula derived from
hydrolyzed protein or synthetic amino acid.
8. Most infants with documented IgE-mediated allergy
to cow milk protein will do well on isolated
soy protein-based formula.
9. Soy protein-based formulas are not designed
or recommended for preterm infants who
weigh ,1800 g.