Hatzoloh of Jerusalem, in cooperation with Rabbi Benny
Fisher, director-general of Magen LeCholeh, has issued an
information sheet containing common questions and
authoritative answers by Professor David Barnesky, Director
of Pediatric Medicine at Hadassah Hospital and an expert on
gastrointestinal function and nutrition in children.
What should be done in the event an infant consumed non-
dairy formula?
If the infant is healthy and there are no signs that raise
concern, there is no need to be checked. In such a situation
one should simply stop giving the infant the formula, as per
Health Department directives.
What symptoms are indicative of the illness?
Prolonged refusal to eat, severe and irregular unease,
excessive sleepiness, apathy, semi-consciousness or spasms.
Vomiting and diarrhea also appear in some of the infants. In
each of these situations one should go to an emergency
room.
Symptoms unrelated to the illness are: various cold
signs such as fever and runny nose, rash, eye infection,
asthma, etc.
Is it possible to recover from the illness?
It is certainly possible to recover from the illness, but
much rachamei Shomayim is needed to ensure the brain
damage does not become irreversible. The illness impairs
critical body functions, including the central nervous
system, the heart and respiration.
When will we know the danger has passed?
It is nearly certain that children who consumed non-dairy
Remedia and have not become ill by now will not develop the
illness.
Is it dangerous to use other milk substitutes?
No. The other companies' milk substitutes include non-dairy
formulas that are safe for use. Only Remedia's non-dairy
formula may not be used at this stage.
If the infant ate non-dairy formula until now, can he be
switched to dairy?
If the infant ate non-dairy formula because of sensitivity to
milk it is recommended to give him the non-dairy formula of
another company and not to switch him to dairy at present.
But if the infant eats non-dairy formula for reasons not
related to medicine, he can definitely be given dairy
formula. In any cases of doubt one should consult the
treating physician.
As a rule, the use of non-dairy formula from soy is not
recommended for infants and opting for dairy formula is
preferable. When sensitivity to protein from cow's milk is
suspected, one should consult a medical specialist.
