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Breast development in the first 2 years of life: an association with soy-based infant formulas

Amnon Zung1, Tamar Glaser, Zohar Kerem

  • 1Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Kaplan Medical Center, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel. amzung2@bezeqint.net

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|January 29, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Soy-based formulas may affect breast tissue development in female infants. Phytoestrogens in soy formula were linked to a preserving effect on breast tissue, particularly in the second year of life.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Neonatal Nutrition
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Soy-based infant formulas contain phytoestrogens, plant-derived compounds structurally similar to estradiol.
  • Phytoestrogens are known to possess estrogenic activity.
  • The endocrine effects of soy formula on infant development require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the estrogenic effect of soy-based formulas in female infants.
  • To assess the impact of soy phytoestrogens on breast tissue development in infants.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 694 female infants aged 3 to 24 months.
  • Infants were recruited from general pediatric clinics.
  • Presence of breast buds was used as a marker for endocrine effects of soy phytoestrogens.

Main Results:

  • Breast tissue prevalence was higher in infants fed soy formula compared to breast-fed or dairy-formula-fed infants during the second year of life (22.0% vs 10.3%, P = 0.02).
  • An odds ratio of 2.45 (95% CI 1.11-5.39) indicated increased odds of breast tissue in soy-fed infants.
  • No significant differences in breast bud prevalence were observed during the first year of life.

Conclusions:

  • Phytoestrogens in soy formula may exert a preserving effect on infantile breast tissue.
  • This effect appears to influence the natural decline of breast tissue in early childhood.
  • Soy formula consumption might lead to a slower waning of breast tissue in female infants.
Abstract

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