Abstract
Breast milk jaundice is a relatively common, benign condition, which is present in 20-30 % of exclusively or predominantly breast-fed infants. This type of jaundice usually manifests between the first and second week of life of the newborn and remains until the 8th-12th week of age.
Its aetiology is not yet fully understood. The presence of factors affecting bilirubin metabolism in the breast milk is considered.
Up to 70 % of infants have a genetic mutation in UGT1A1*6. It seems that alterations of gut microbiota composition and its metabolites may affect the enterohepatic bilirubin circulation.
The diagnosis of breast milk jaundice is based on exclusion of other causes of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Should the total bilirubin level not fulfil phototherapy criteria, then no other intervention is required.
However, clinical observation is recommended.