Infant Fed Only Almond Milk Develops Scurvy from Lack of Nutrients

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Kids With Food Allergies1/22/1612:48 PM

A recent report shows the dangers of feeding infants alternative milks instead of breast milk or formula. Doctors diagnosed an 11-month-old infant with scurvy, according to a report in Medical Daily.

The baby boy was breastfed for two months. He developed a skin condition due to suspected milk allergy and his diet was changed to just almond milk. The almond milk caused a lack of nutrition, including vitamin C. The baby had bone fractures and was immobile. Doctors diagnosed him with scurvy. Scurvy is caused by a lack of vitamin C.

If your baby is allergic or intolerant to cow's milk formula and breastfeeding is not an option, Kids With Food Allergies has information about how to choose a fortified formula. Babies need specific nutrients for the first year of life.

Can Parents Prevent Their Babies From Developing Food Allergies

How do you know if an infant is at high-risk of developing food allergies?
When and how should you introduce solid foods to a high-risk infant?
What formulas are recommended for infants who are not breastfed?

Tags: scurvy, infant, food-allergies

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Carolyn AnnMember

The title is misleading. It's not just almond milk. Any milk would do the same thing. Cow's milk contains 4 - 6% of an adults Vitamin C needs (some labels even say 0%). That means an 8 oz glass only has 5.4 mg. For a baby under 6 months they would need to drink 7.5 bottles of milk to get the Vit C needed. For a baby over 6 months it would be 9.3 bottles a day. Of course, they would be getting food as well. Point being made is that formula has the vitamins supplemented. If not using breast milk or formula it is necessary to find alternate ways to get the nutrients necessary. My second concern is where were the healthcare providers? There should have been well baby checks and (I'm certain) sick baby appointments where the parent would have been asked about the baby's diet. I always was.

1/29/167:07 AM