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Differences in transcutaneous bilirubin readings in Japanese term infants according to feeding method
1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Medical Center, Kagawa Medical University, Japan. sitoh@kms.ac.jp
Insights
Infant feeding methods impact jaundice levels in Japanese newborns. Formula-fed infants showed a slower increase in transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) after 30 hours compared to breast-fed infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Health
- Pediatrics
- Bilirubin Metabolism
Background:
- Infant feeding methods and serum bilirubin concentrations have long been debated.
- Jaundice patterns in neonates vary by feeding method within the first 72 hours.
- Japanese neonates exhibit higher and later peak bilirubin levels than Caucasian neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate variations in transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) readings based on feeding method in Japanese neonates.
- To elucidate differences in initial jaundice patterns according to feeding method up to 72 hours post-birth.
Main Methods:
- Transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) readings were assessed in 177 breast-fed and 494 formula-fed healthy Japanese term neonates within 72 hours of birth.
- Weight loss was also monitored at 24-48 hours and 48-72 hours post-birth.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in TcB was observed between feeding groups until 30 hours post-birth.
- After 30 hours, formula-fed infants demonstrated a lower rate of TcB increase.
- Breast-fed infants experienced greater weight loss at 24-48 and 48-72 hours compared to formula-fed infants.
Conclusions:
- Jaundice patterns in Japanese neonates differ between 30 and 72 hours post-birth based on feeding method.
- These findings suggest distinct neonatal jaundice progression in Japanese infants compared to Caucasian infants.
- Feeding method plays a role in the observed differences in neonatal jaundice patterns.
Background:
Controversy has existed for many years over whether infant feeding methods are related to serum bilirubin concentrations during the first few days of life. Differences in initial jaundice patterns according to the feeding method until 72 h after birth have not been elucidated hitherto. The difference may become clear in Japanese neonates because jaundice shows a much higher peak bilirubin concentration and a later peak in Japanese neonates than in Caucasian neonates.
Methods:
In the present study, we investigated variations in the transcutaneous bilirubin reading (TcB) obtained within 72 h after birth among 177 breast-fed and 494 formula-fed healthy Japanese term neonates.
Results:
There was no difference between TcB in formula-fed and breast-fed infants until the first 30 h, after which time the rate of increase in TcB was lower in formula-fed infants. Among breast-fed neonates, a good linear regression between time after birth and TcB was maintained. Similarly, weight losses in breast-fed infants at 24-48 h and 48-72 h after birth were greater than those in formula-fed infants.
Conclusions:
The jaundice pattern in Japanese neonates from 30 to 72 h after birth according to the feeding method was different from that in Caucasian neonates.