Hello, I am a registered dietitian in private practice and publisher of a
nutrition newsletter for parents, nursing my 16 month old, and considering
one day adding lactation consulting to my practice.  I have been lurking and
learning much on Lactnet - thanks everyone!!!

I posted a request for information/references on soy formulas,
phytoestrogens, and IDDM on the AOL RD network and got a response (through
another RD) from Mark Messina, PhD, who researches soy and phytoestrogens.
 He says:

"There has been considerable concern expressed --especially among some people
in New Zealand -- about the safety of infant exposure to large amounts of
phytoestrogens, as would occur with feeding soy infant formula.  Many studies
show that children develop normally when fed soy formula"

perhaps normally for formula-fed children (my aside)   He continues:

"However, longer term studies haven't been conducted nor have there been
short term studies designed to specifically examine the phytoestrogen issue.
 Based on current evidence, my position is that soy infant formula is safe.
 I recently had a letter published in the New Zealand Journal of Medicine
that stated this.  There have not been any letters published in scientific
journals from physicians who report estrogen-like effects in infants fed soy
formula.  These effects have also not been reported in growth studies of
infants fed soy formula.
     From a biological standpoint, it certainly is possible that estrogens
could disrupt development.  Cassidy et al showed that 45 mg of isoflavones
extends the length of the menstrual cycle in 60 kg women, so it seems clear
that there can be biological effects from isoflavones.  Infants fed soy
formula ingest about 25 mg of isoflavones per day, but they weigh about 6 kg.
 So there are issues that need to be examined.
     With regard to the diabetes issue, the controversy stems from a
statement in the position paper of the AAP (Pediatrics 94;752,1994) which
suggested that soy formula may cause diabetes (although the article primarily
addressed the issue of cow's milk and diabetes).  The statement about soy was
based mostly on animal studies.  This was followed by a letter in Pediatrics
(96;515,1995) supporting the possibility that soy might contribute to
diabetes risk, and then by 2 excellent letters that completely refuted this
theory (Pediatrics, 86;541,1996)."

Another RD cited an article in the April 96 issue of Diabetes Care on soy,
wheat, cow's milk and IDDM in rats.  Hope this is useful.
Sanna James MS, RD (Mill Valley, CA) [log in to unmask]