Original article (in Slovenian) was published on 04/12/2023; Author: Žan Premrov
The authors of the 2018 study on the impact of soy on infant reproductive tissues that the Planet Lepote referred to to stressed that there is insufficient evidence to conclude that soy is harmful to children’s development.
On December 7, online media outlet in Slovenia, Planet Lepote, reported a significant finding under the headline “Babies fed soy-based formula have altered reproductive tissues.” This statement is supposedly based on research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. The study conducted a comparative analysis of infants fed with different types of milk: breast milk, cow’s milk formula, and soy-based formula.
The study referred to was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in March 2018. The authors analysed the physical characteristics of 283 infants, 111 of whom consumed cow’s milk-based formula, 102 soy-based formula and 70 were breastfed.
One of the key findings of the study was the impact of diet on female infant development. The researchers noted that girls who were fed modified soy milk exhibited more advanced development of vaginal cells compared to those who consumed cow’s milk or were breastfed. Additionally, these girls experienced a slower decrease in uterine volume after birth and displayed higher levels of the hormone oestradiol.
In a notable aspect of the study reported by Planet Lepote, the only significant distinction observed in boys who were fed soy-based formula compared to those who were fed cow’s milk-based formula or breastfed was in the size of their breast buds. The study found that the breast buds in boys who consumed soy-based formula did not decrease in size as much after birth as they did in boys from the other two groups.
The authors of this study also pointed out that the current body of research on the effects of soy in infant formula is not comprehensive enough to definitively determine if such formula has negative impacts on child development.
Additionally, a 2015 study featured in The Journal of Nutrition explored the long-term developmental differences in children at 5 years of age, depending on whether they were fed soy formula, cow’s milk formula, or breast milk.
In a detailed examination involving 101 children, the researchers employed ultrasound technology to measure and analyze the size and characteristics of reproductive organs such as the breasts, uterus, ovaries, prostate, and testicles. Their findings revealed no significant differences in the development of reproductive organs among either girls or boys.
Planet Lepote shared the post on Facebook with the caption, “Genistein in soy causes abnormal development of reproductive organs.”
The authors of the 2018 study Planet Lepote cited explained that genistein is a type of oestrogen found in soy. They also pointed out that the effect of genistein on the development of reproductive organs has only been demonstrated in rodent studies.
The lack of studies on the impact of genistein on infant development was also highlighted by the portal.
Razkrinkavanje has shared the findings with Planet Lepote and will publish their response upon receipt.
Razkrinkavanje considers the portal’s claim that babies who have consumed modified soy milk have altered reproductive tissues to be unsubstantiated according to the Razkrinkavanje.si methodology.
The comment accompanying the shared Facebook post has no basis in the text to which it refers, so according to the Razkrinkvanja.si methodology, it is considered clickbait.
