Quebec has shortage of two formulas for premature babies
Parents are panicking as the only two commercial formulas prescribed for premature babies are out of stock in Quebec. Préma-Québec is concerned about the mental health of these parents, who are struggling with a lack of information about alternatives to feed their infants.
The premature infant formulas Similac Neosure and EnfaCare, made by two U.S. companies, have been out of stock since at least the beginning of the week.
Préma-Québec, a Quebec-based organization that supports families of premature children, reports widespread alarm in a Facebook group of thousands of parents with premature babies.
Some mothers are asking if other users can supply them with portions of Similac Neosure or EnfaCare formula.
These two products are prescribed by doctors when a premature baby is discharged from the hospital.
The formula, designed to meet the specific needs of preterm infants, contains more calories and nutrients to support their growth, explained Dr. Marie St-Hilaire, a neonatologist at Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, in an interview.
“We are receiving an overwhelming number of calls from panicked parents. Not being able to feed their baby or use the proper formula recommended for their preterm infant is deeply troubling to them, as they have been told for a long time that these are the right products for their child,” said Dr. St-Hilaire, adding that parents are unsure where to turn for alternatives.
The only option for these parents is to use standard infant formula, available at grocery stores and pharmacies.
Dr. St-Hilaire noted that both manufacturers have issued notices indicating that their preterm infant formulas should be back in stock within two to four weeks.
She explained that using standard formula temporarily is not harmful to the baby. If the shortage lasts only a month, as the manufacturers predict, the impact on the infant's health will not be severe, she said.
However, growth may be slightly affected. “There is no danger to the child,” the specialist reassured.
On Friday evening, all neonatologists in Quebec plan to meet to develop shared recommendations for premature infants being discharged from hospitals.
Préma-Québec expressed deep concern about the shortage’s impact on both the health of premature infants and the mental health of their parents.
Many of these parents have spent weeks at the bedside of their premature newborn, hoping for their recovery.
The organization regrets that now, back at home, these parents are being subjected to additional stress due to the shortage.
“We urge the relevant authorities to communicate with these parents urgently and provide them with alternative products and recipes for infant formula,” Préma-Québec stated in a written release.
This health content from The Canadian Press is funded through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for editorial decisions.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Oct. 23, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian consensus on immigration under threat, but not gone: immigration minister
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says Canada's long-held consensus on immigration is under threat, but has not disappeared.
W5 Investigates Threats, slashed tires: How cities are trying to rein in clothing donation bin chaos
In the final part of a four-part investigation into the seedy underbelly of the lucrative clothing donation bin industry, CTV W5's Jon Woodward and Joseph Loiero look at how some cities are trying to rein in the chaos.
Canadian woman dies awaiting repatriation from Syria
A Quebec mother of six, once detained in northeast Syria, has died while waiting for repatriation. The Canadian woman was known only by her initials F.J.
Court documents reveal new details about U.S. probe into ex-Canadian Olympian accused of running drug trafficking ring
U.S. authorities earlier this year knew the whereabouts of a former Canadian Olympian who is now on the run for allegedly running a transnational drug trafficking ring and orchestrating murders in Ontario, according to Ontario court documents.
Majority of Canadians would vote for Kamala Harris in U.S. election: poll
If Canadians could vote in the U.S. election, a majority would choose to send Kamala Harris to the White House.
Former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model says Trump groped her to show off for Jeffrey Epstein
A former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model is alleging that former President Donald Trump groped her in the 1990s, in what she believes was an attempt to show off for Jeffrey Epstein.
New regulations allow Canada Post to ship restricted firearms returned in gun buyback
The federal government is giving Canada Post the ability to store and transport restricted firearms in new regulations that bring the retail gun buyback program one step closer to beginning.
Stunning fossil trapped in amber reveals previously unknown species that lived during the time of dinosaurs
Diverse firefly species lit up the night during the late Mesozoic period, scientists have confirmed.
More straight couples are calling each other partner. Here's why
Within a year of dating, 31-year-old Siara Rouzer crossed a major relationship milestone. The guy she was seeing was no longer a boyfriend but her partner.