What Causes Breast Milk Jaundice |link| -

Breast milk jaundice is a condition that affects newborn babies, causing a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes due to high levels of bilirubin in the blood. It is a type of jaundice that occurs in breastfed infants, typically in the first week of life. Breast milk jaundice is a relatively common condition, affecting up to 1 in 100 newborns.

is a common condition in newborns characterized by elevated levels of bilirubin that persist after the first week of life. It is distinct from "breastfeeding jaundice," which is caused by insufficient milk intake. what causes breast milk jaundice

Certain factors may increase the risk of developing breast milk jaundice: Breast milk jaundice is a condition that affects

Breast milk may contain high levels of an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase . This enzyme deconjugates bilirubin in the infant's intestines, allowing it to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream rather than being excreted through stool. is a common condition in newborns characterized by

If you pasteurize breast milk (heat to 62°C), and the milk no longer causes BMJ in a test system. However, the fatty acid inhibitors remain. This suggests BMJ is multifactorial – the balance between gut de-conjugation (enzyme-driven) and liver conjugation (inhibition-driven) determines severity. This is why BMJ is benign (rarely causes kernicterus) – the inhibition is partial and reversible.