Serum bilirubin levels in breast- and formula-fed infants in the first 5 days of life
Saigal, S.; Lunyk, O.; Bennett, K.J.; Patterson, M.C.
Canadian Medical Association Journal 127(10): 985-989
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-4409 PMID: 7139449 Document Number: 196452
In a prospective study in a Canadian maternity unit, serum bilirubin values were estimated for healthy term infants, 176 breast-fed and 164 artificially-fed, in cord blood and on days 1, 2, 3 and 5 after birth. The mean total bilirubin values were significantly higher on each postnatal day in the breast-fed infants, as was the proportion of infants with peak values above 12 mg/100 ml (205 mu mol/litre; 28% against 6%). The breast-fed infants also had significantly higher proportional weight losses on each postnatal day than the artificially-fed infants. However, there was no correlation between cumulative weight loss on day 3 and bilirubin values on the same day with either feeding method. None of the infants required an exchange transfusion or prolonged care in hospital for hyperbilirubinaemia. In a prospective study in a Canadian maternity unit, serum bilirubin values were estimated for healthy term infants, 176 breast-fed and 164 artificially-fed, in cord blood and on days 1, 2, 3 and 5 after birth. Mean total bilirubin values were significantly higher on each postnatal day in the breast-fed infants, as was the proportion of infants with peak values more than 12 mg/100 ml (205 micro mol/l; 28% vs. 6%). Breast-fed infants also had significantly higher proportional wt. losses on each postnatal day than the artificially-fed infants. However, there was no correlation between cumulative wt. loss on day 3 and bilirubin values on the same day with either feeding method.