![]() In early-onset breastmilk jaundice that is visible on assessment in the first 2-3 days, the causes are closely related to other causes of physiologic jaundice such as dehydration or delayed stool, and are difficult to differentiate. The exact etiology of breast milk jaundice has not been determined (idiopathic). Usually, pathologic causes of persistent, unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia are ruled out before a diagnosis of breast milk jaundice can be made. Infants with breast milk jaundice often have higher peaks of serum bilirubin and an overall slower decline than infants without it, leading to longer resolution time. However, it can persist for 8-12 weeks of life before resolution. Breast milk jaundice typically presents after day 3 or 4 in the first or second week of life and usually spontaneously resolves even without discontinuation of breastfeeding. The two common mechanisms for this are “breastfeeding jaundice” and “breast milk jaundice.”īreast milk jaundice was first described in 1963 when it was noted that some breastfed infants had prolonged, unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia that persisted beyond the third week of life. Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia has a higher frequency in breastfed infants compared to formula-fed infants. When total serum bilirubin levels rise, a yellowish discoloration of the infant’s skin and sclera occurs and is referred to as jaundice. Jaundice within the first 24 hours could be pathological and must be reported to the health care provider. The definition of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia has typically been total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels within the high-risk zone, or greater than the 95th percentile for age within the first six days of life. Estimates are that between 60-80% of all term or late-term, healthy newborns exhibit physiologic jaundice with no cause found (idiopathic). ![]() ![]() Infant jaundice, also known as hyperbilirubinemia, is a frequently encountered clinical problem in neonates.
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