Author: Carvalho NF et. Al
Source: Pediatrics Vol 107(4), April 2001. E46
This article demonstrates 2 separate case studies that described severe nutritional deficiencies as a result of using health food milk beverages.
The first case described a 22 month-old boy who had a history of chronic eczema (dry, scaly skin). He was breastfed until 13 months of age and then switched to a rice milk beverage. He was seen about a year later at the hospital with a condition called kwashiorkor (Kwa-shee-or-kor). His symptoms included excess fluid in his body, low protein stores in his blood, thin, sparse hair, poor appetite, irritability and some skin sores. Interestingly enough, he continued to maintain his weight, which was why the pediatrician was not overly concerned right away (his fluid retention caused his weight to remain higher). A review of his diet showed that he drank about 40-45 ounces of rice milk per day, but very few other sources of food. Rice milk is a poor source of protein (about 1.7 grams per 32 ounces) compared to cow?s milk (33 grams per 32 ounces). Once his diet was determined to be the source of his condition, he was slowly re-fed, given various vitamins and minerals to correct any deficiencies, and followed closely. Follow-up a year later showed he had had good growth and was able to tolerate a milk-based pediatric supplement without problems.
The second case describes a 17 month-old boy who was diagnosed with rickets, a Vitamin D deficiency, which can cause bowing of the legs and abnormal bone growth. He was breastfed until 10 months of age and then switched to a soy beverage that was not fortified with calcium or Vitamin D. The family followed a vegan diet (no sources of animal protein) and his intake of solid foods was quite good. He lived in a sunny climate, which normally would protect him from rickets because the body can make Vitamin D from exposure to the sun. He was not outside in the sun very often, however, and was African-American (individuals with darker skin need longer sun exposure to make Vitamin D). He had normal growth until about 9 months of age and then stopped growing in both his weight and height. He was no longer able to crawl or roll over. Once the right diagnosis was made, he was treated with calcium and vitamin D supplements and the milestones he had lost were re-gained within six months.
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