Abstract
Maximum serum bilirubin (SB) levels and feeding methods were analyzed in 2388 infants (99% white) admitted to our well baby nursery in 1976-1980.
The vast majority of breast feeding mothers had 24 hour rooming in and fed their babies on demand. Virtually all infants with SB>13 mg/dl received phototherapy which may have depressed the upper percentiles. The clear differences (for whatever reason) between these populations imply that our standards for non-physiologic jaundice should be modified. SB>13mg/dl might require evaluation in a bottle fed baby whereas SB>15.5mg/dl would be necessary to arouse similar concerns in a breast fed infant. This approach would save money, if nothing else.
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Maisels, M., Gifford, K. 779 PHYSIOLOGIC JAUNDICE. Pediatr Res 19, 240 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00809
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00809