Study of Infant Diets on Estrogen Activity and Development
Study of Infant Diets on Estrogen Activity and Development
This study, conducted at the University of Pennsylvania s Newborn Nursery, the Children s
 Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Exton Specialty Care Center, will examine how different
 infant diets may affect estrogen activity in babies. During pregnancy, babies are exposed to
 the female hormone estrogen from their mother. Estrogen plays a key role in the development
 of breasts and milk production, as well as the development of the uterus. The effects of
 these hormones can be seen when babies are examined. Between 6 and 12 months of age, the
 effects are reduced. Breast milk and some infant formulas may contain compounds that can act
 like female hormones in the body and may prolong the estrogen effects.

 This study has two parts. Part 1 studies the physical development of babies fed different
 ways. Part 2 studies how hormone levels in babies differ depending on what they are being
 fed. Babies may participate in one or both parts. Part 1 includes babies 0 to 6 months of
 age; part 2 includes babies 0 to 12 months of age. In each part of the study, parents may
 choose to have their babies evaluated from one to four times.

 Full-term infants (age 37 to 41 weeks gestational age) from birth to 12 months of age who
 weigh from 2501 to 4499 grams (about 5.5 to 10 pounds) at birth and who have no chromosomal
 abnormalities, major malformations, or endocrine problems may be eligible for this study.
 Male infants must have palpable testes. Infants being fed a diet of breast milk, soy milk, or
 cow s milk will be included. Study procedures include the following:

 Part 1

 -  Feeding history: the parent provides information about the baby s dietary intake since
 birth.

 -  Length, weight, and head circumference: the baby s measurements are taken.

 -  Physical examination: the baby s physical maturity is assessed by examination of the
 skin, breasts, and external sex organs.

 -  Breast secretions: the baby s breast buds are gently pressed during the physical
 examination to look for a milky-white substance that some babies produce during the
 first year of life. If the substance appears, a specimen will be collected.

 -  Vaginal cells: for baby girls, the opening of the vaginal area is gently swabbed with a
 sterile Q-tip to assess the maturity of the vaginal lining.

 Part 2

 -  Feeding history and length, weight and head circumference measurements as described
 above.

 -  Urine: a urine sample is collected in a cotton diaper or a urine collection bag.

 -  aliva: a saliva sample is collected by gently swabbing the inside of the baby s mouth 1
 hour after a morning feeding to remove any left over milk.

 -  Hair: a lock of hair, 1/2-inch wide and 1 to 2 inches long is taken from 12-month old
 babies.

 -  Blood: some infants have a small blood sample collected by a heel-stick.

 This study will serve as a basis for a later study about how infant formulas affect infant
 growth.
Term newborns have anatomic and sonographic evidence of in utero estrogen exposure. Over the
 first six months to a year of life, as the influence of maternal hormone wanes, these
 findings recede. Soy infant formula contains large amounts of isoflavones (diadzein and
 genistein) that can occupy estrogen receptors and act as estrogens in the laboratory. A food
 substance with estrogen activity might prolong the effect of maternal hormones, or interfere
 with hormonal homeostasis the child. Two cross-sectional pilot study (SEAD 2 and SEAD 3) will
 be undertaken in order to establish the methods for a future, multi-center study designed to
 assess the potential effects of soy formula on estrogen activity in infants. Another
 cross-sectional pilot study (SEAD 1) will be undertaken to evaluate anatomical evidence
 detected by ultrasound and will be conducted at The Children's Hospital in Boston. Details of
 the SEAD 1 study will not be presented in this protocol. In the first pilot study (SEAD 2),
 84 examinations of full-term infants, ages 0-6 months and on one of three feeding regimens
 (soy formula, breast milk or cow's milk formula) will be conducted. This study will establish
 a protocol for examining and sampling methods to be used for a later trial investigating
 whether exposure to soy estrogen compared to breast milk and non-soy formulas prolongs
 anatomical evidence of estrogen exposure and response. In addition to the physical
 examination, vaginal cells will be collected for cytology analysis. Breast nipple secretions,
 if present, will also be collected and analyzed for protein and sugar levels. In the second
 pilot study (SEAD 3), 372 evaluations on full-term infants will be conducted in parallel with
 the first study. SEAD 3 will assess the hormonal and biochemical status of full-term infants
 age 0-12 months. This study will establish a protocol for sampling methods to be used for
 collecting urine, saliva, serum, and hair samples. Endogenous hormone levels such as
 testosterone, estradiol, and isoflavone levels (genestein and diadzein) will be measured in
 serum and the results will be compared against the non-serum tests (urine, saliva and hair).
 The purpose of these two pilot studies is twofold. The first is to develop and finalize
 recruitment and collections procedures in preparation for a larger, comprehensive trial of
 biological response in children to soy formula with and without the estrogenic isoflavones.
 The second is to study the natural history of estrogen activity in infants on a variety of
 feeding regimens.
-  INCLUSION CRITERIA:

 SEAD 2 and 3

 1. Full term infants defined as age 37-41 weeks gestational age at birth. Ultrasound
 evidence or reliable reporting of last menstrual period (LMP) by infant's mother.

 2. Can be categorized into one of the feeding definitions.

 3. Birth weight between 2501-4499 grams.

 4. Age 0-6 months for SEAD 2, age 0-12 months for SEAD 3

 5. For SEAD 3, for 12-months age interval, subjects must not have had first haircut.

 EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

 SEAD 2 and 3

 1. Chromosomal aberrations

 2. Major malformation

 3. SEAD 2: Non-palpable testis (males only)

 4. Presence of an endocrinopathy (i.e., ambiguous genitalia, congenital hypothyroidism)

 This is a natural history study and children must be healthy in order to participate in
 this study. Therefore, children will be excluded from the study if they are known to have
 chromosomal aberrations, or any major malformations or an endocrinopathy. Testicular
 development is an important endpoint in this study and therefore males will be excluded
 from SEAD 2 if the testes are not palpable.