Concerns for infants which are formula fed:
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies in vegetarian formula fed infants: Vitamin and mineral deficiencies may occur in vegetarian infants which are not breast fed. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), children 6 to 24 months old raised to be vegetarians who are not breast fed may develop deficiencies of zinc, calcium, vitamin B12, and possibly vitamin A. According to the WHO, children between the ages of 6 and 24 months who are not breast fed and on plant-based diets generally will not receive adequate nutrition. WHO recommendations for appropriate feeding of non-breastfed children from 6 -24 months include food enriched with iron that provides 8-10 mg/d at 6-12 months, decreasing to 5-7 mg/d at 12-24 months. If animal source foods are limited, fortified foods or supplements should also include zinc, calcium, and vitamin B12. This does not apply to the Untied States, but according the WHO, vitamin A at a once time dose of 100,000 IU at 6-12 months and 200,000 IU twice a year at 12-23 months is recommended in regions with a high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency or where mortality rates for children under 5 is greater than 50 per 1000. (14)