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A neurobehavioral syndrome after failure to thrive on chloride-deficient formula

T A Kaleita1, M Kinsbourne, J H Menkes

  • 1Division of Pediatric Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|July 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Children fed a chloride-deficient soy formula experienced lasting cognitive issues, including speech and attention deficits. These neurobehavioral problems persisted despite normal overall intelligence, indicating a specific formula-related developmental impact.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Infant feeding practices significantly impact neurodevelopment.
  • Chloride deficiency is a critical factor in infant health.
  • Specific infant formulas can have unintended consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate long-term neurobehavioral outcomes in children with failure-to-thrive due to chloride-deficient formula.
  • To identify specific cognitive impairments associated with early life chloride deficiency.
  • To differentiate formula-induced neurodevelopmental issues from other causes.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal follow-up of 13 children with failure-to-thrive.
  • Assessment of cognitive function, including language, motor skills, and attention, four to nine years post-infancy.
  • Comparison of outcomes in children fed chloride-deficient Neo-Mull-Soy formula versus general developmental disability populations.

Main Results:

  • Eleven of 13 children exhibited persistent cognitive impairments.
  • Impairments included language disorders (articulation, word finding), visual-motor and fine motor difficulties, and attention deficit disorder with repetitive behaviors.
  • Global intellectual abilities remained within the normal range for all affected children.

Conclusions:

  • Early-life chloride deficiency from specific soy formulas can lead to a distinct, residual neurobehavioral syndrome.
  • This syndrome is characterized by specific cognitive deficits, not global intellectual disability.
  • The findings highlight the critical role of adequate chloride intake in early neurodevelopment.

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