Soy-Based Infant Formula: Are Phyto-Oestrogens Still in Doubt?

Abstract in brief

• Despite official recommendations discouraging the routine use of soy-based infant formulas (SF), many parents still choose them, possibly because they believe SF may reduce the risk of future diseases, although scientific evidence for this is lacking.
• The safety of SF, especially concerning phytoestrogens, remains uncertain; animal studies suggest potential negative effects on sexual development, reproduction, neurobehavior, immune, and thyroid functions, but human studies have yielded conflicting results.
• Current research indicates that modern SFs are generally not linked to significant developmental issues in children, except for those with congenital hypothyroidism, who require careful monitoring of their thyroid function.]