Findings

Although the precise origins of NEC are poorly understood, the relationship between this condition and cows’ milk formula has been observed for at least 40 years; de Peyer et al.’s 1978 case report on this topic points to how “cow’s milk protein played a major role in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis.”

While theories abound, absolutely clear mechanisms behind how cow’s milk might cause NEC has yet to be explained. Regardless, such a correlation is well-established.

Studies have linked NEC to the use of certain infant formulas derived from cow milk. In a 1990 study, scientists found that in exclusively formula-fed babies, NEC was 6-10 times more common than in those fed breast milk alone and three times more common in those who received formula plus breast milk.

In 2011, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution found that extremely premature babies fed human donor milk were less likely to develop NEC than those fed a standard premature infant formula derived from cow’s milk. Of course, it has yet to be determined whether cow’s milk-derived formula increases the risk of NEC or if a preemie already has a significant risk for NEC and human donor milk can combat that risk.

Litigation Status

Regardless, parents and their preemies who were fed cow’s milk products and subsequently developed NEC started filing product liability lawsuits against formula manufacturers for negligent failure to warn despite knowledge of the risks.

In April 2022, the MDL Panel certified the Formula NEC multidistrict litigation (In re: Abbott Laboratories, et al., Preterm Infant Nutrition Prod. Liab. Lit.– MDL No. 3026) in the Northern District of Illinois under Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer. To date, there is a total of 97 NEC formula lawsuits pending in the MDL, representing the total plaintiff population. There is no claim registry in this MDL; therefore, this litigation will be small relative to other mass torts. This also means that defendants will be better able to make settlement payouts without cutting profitability.

Meanwhile, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently issued new guidelines that recommend avoiding infant formula entirely for newborns, urging hospitals to stop promoting infant formula and focus on breastfeeding. It’s not yet clear whether these changes have inflicted a large enough blow to the MDL defendants to change their ways.

One of the potentially culpable manufacturers is also facing legal woes regarding the cleanliness of its facilities.  Last month, the Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation into an Abbott Laboratories plant in Michigan over unsanitary workplace conditions in its production of baby formula. This will only add fuel to the fire of formula safety concerns.