Tropical oils are also used in commercially prepared baby formulas,
partly because babies don't read labels, and partly because babies
need some fat in their diet, and tropical oils are about the most
stable fats known. They contain almost no essential fatty acids
(EFA's).
Essential fatty acids are necessary for many functions in the
growth and maintenance of a healthy body. In babies and children,
they are essential for brain development. In animals, it has been
shown that a deficiency during fetal development and early infancy
results in permanent learning disabilities.
Source: the book "Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill" by
Udo Erasmus (1993)
Note: Most infant formulas list palm oil or palm olein, and coconut
oil in the ingredients. These are the tropical oils to which the
book refers.
Corn oils in formula may not support normal biochemical development
of the central nervous system when present as the only polyunsaturated
oil in the diet. An infant may not be able to make his own fatty
acids from vegetable oils for various reasons, one of which is
that the vitamin and mineral content in the formula may not support
that ability. Essential Fatty Acids in Growth and Development
(Innis)
Animal studies indicate that when they are deprived of adequate
amounts of essential fatty acids, the weights of their brains
are up to 33% less than other animals receiving adequate amounts.
Even when the deficiency is corrected later when they were still
young, their brains did not recover. The Crazy Makers (book by
Carol Simontacchi)