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Ency. home > Disease > B > Breast milk jaundice

Breast milk jaundice    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Jaundice associated with breast feeding; Jaundice associated with nursing

Definition:

Persistent jaundice in the newborn caused by some unknown factor in the breast milk.

Causes and Risks

Jaundice (yellowish tinge to the skin and/or eyes) in the newborn, or neonatal jaundice, is a common and normal occurrence caused by excess bilirubin (a breakdown product of hemoglobin made by the liver).

All babies have some degree of jaundice, which is called "physiologic jaundice of the newborn." Breast fed babies often have more severe jaundice. This is known as "breast feeding jaundice." While there is no scientific proof, some experts think this exaggerated jaundice provides the baby with antioxidant effects, protecting the infant from tissue injury or disease.

If the jaundice persists in an otherwise healthy and thriving breast fed infant past 28 days, and the total bilirubin level is greater than 5.9mg/dl (100umol/l), this condition is called "breast milk jaundice."

The cause is unknown, and no illness has been attributed to it, but it is important to be sure the baby's liver functions are otherwise normal.

Ency. home > Disease > B > Breast milk jaundice

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