Did you know that worldwide around 400 million people have G6PDD?
If your new little one has this deficiency, it could raise many questions about its impact on your daily life. In addition, you will also want to consider dietary needs. For example, do babies with G6PDD need soy-free formula?
Keep reading to find out the answer to that question and more.
Is Soy Commonly Found in Formula?
Soy is commonly found in many food products, and baby formula is not exempt from this. Isolated protein from soybeans is frequently found in milk formulas and supplements.
This is because it’s easily digestible and high in protein. However, even though it does have some good functional and nutritional qualities, if your child has G6PDD, they should not use a formula with soy.
Why Do Babies With G6PDD Need Soy-Free Formula?
To understand why children with a G6PD deficiency can’t have soy, first, you need to know how G6PDD impacts your little one. This is a genetic condition and is passed from mother to son.
While women do not usually get G6PDD, the carrier gene can pass from mother to daughter. This disease impacts the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme.
It has the role of ensuring a normal lifespan for your red blood cells and oxidizing processes. When your little one has a deficiency, it can cause the sudden destruction of red blood cells.
This can cause hemolytic anemia with jaundice. While there is no cure for most people, the deficiency doesn’t cause a problem. However, certain medications and foods can trigger a hemolytic crisis.
One of the foods on that list includes soya beans. This is why the soy-free formula for babies is so important.
To understand the importance of soy-free milk or soy-free baby formula, let’s talk about what a hemolytic crisis is and how it can impact your little one.
What’s a Hemolytic Crisis?
A hemolytic crisis occurs when a large number of red blood cells get destroyed over a short amount of time. During this time, your body can’t create enough new red blood cells to replace the ones being destroyed.
This can get triggered by soy in individuals with G6PDD and cause acute and severe anemia.
Some symptoms of a hemolytic crisis include:
- A sudden rise in body temperature
- Yellow coloring of the skin and mucous membrane.
- Dark yellow-orange urine
- Weak, rapid pulse
- Pallor, fatigue, general deterioration of physical conditions
- Heavy, fast breathing
What Should You Do For a Hemolytic Crisis?
If you see the symptoms above, you should call your pediatrician or go to the nearest hospital. It’s essential to note what your child may have eaten or taken in the previous 48 hours.
How Is a Hemolytic Crisis Treated?
A hemolytic crisis could require a hospital stay. Treatment options could include a blood transfusion, oxygen, and other treatments during this time.
How Do You Know if Formula Has Soy?
If you’re looking for soy-free infant formula, always read the label before purchasing. However, keep in mind that soy can have several names in food products.
There are several ingredients that can indicate the presence of soy. Make sure to keep an out for the following ingredients in order to help your child stay soy-free:
- Soybean oil
- Hydrolyzed soy protein
- Soy protein concentrate
- Soy concentrate
- Textured soy protein
- Soy albumin
- Soy lecithin
- Soy protein isolate
How to Choose a Soy-Free Formula for Your Baby
Your little one’s nutrition is important; if you’re looking for a soy-free formula, you want to ensure you find the right one. There are a few things you should look for in a good formula.
The Right Nutrients
Baby formulas need to meet a gold standard. They should contain the right number of micronutrients and macronutrients that your little one needs to grow and develop.
Typically this is done using cow’s milk or soy protein that’s fortified with nutrients. But, the fat, protein, and carbs your little one needs can come from other sources if they can’t ingest soy or cow’s milk.
It’s good to check with your doctor about the nutrients your little one needs and whether the formula you’re considering will meet those needs.
Organic
Make sure that the formula you choose gets made with organic ingredients. Organic products are processed and grown in a manner that meets federal guidelines for soil quilty, pest control, animal treatment, and additives.
Foods that are organic with multiple ingredients, like baby formula, also don’t use artificial preservatives, flavors, colors, or GMOs.
Sustainable
How your baby’s formula gets made is important. When the manufacturer uses a sustainable process, it helps to ensure that your baby’s formula isn’t impacting the world in a negative way.
You can often see on the label whether or not the formula is sustainable.
Other Benefits of Not Using Formulas With Soy
For a baby with G6PDD, the benefits of not using soy are significant. However, there are other benefits to using a soy-free formula, whether your little one has this deficiency or not.
Many Soy Products Are Genetically Modified
Soybeans are commonly genetically modified. This means that their DNA gets changed in a way that doesn’t occur naturally.
This can cause disruptions in enzymes that perform basic bodily functions. GMOs are one reason that many parents avoid formulas with soy in them.
Many Soy Formulas Have High Sugar Content
A lot of formulas that are soy-based get formulated using corn syrup solids and sucrose. This helps provide the carbohydrates your child needs, but if you want to avoid high-sugar content, you should choose soy-free.
Soy Formulas Have High Levels of Aluminum
Aluminum is a heavy metal, and exposure can cause reduced renal function and bone mineralization in preemies. Soy formulas tend to have a higher aluminum level than breast milk or cow’s milk formulas.
Find the Right Formula For Your Little One
For children with G6PDD, soy formula can cause significant problems. The benefits of choosing a soy-free formula cannot be overstated.
Are you ready to find the right formula for your little one? Start shopping with us today, and we’ll ship right to your door.
