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Risk of hyperbilirubinemia in breast-fed infants

Pi-Feng Chang1, Yu-Cheng Lin, Kevin Liu

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Pan-Chiao, Taipei, Taiwan.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|May 20, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Exclusively breast-fed infants with UGT1A1 gene variants, G6PD deficiency, or born via vaginal delivery face higher risks of hyperbilirubinemia. Early identification of these risk factors is crucial for managing infant jaundice.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Hyperbilirubinemia is a common condition in newborns.
  • Breastfeeding is encouraged, but certain genetic and delivery factors may increase jaundice risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify risk factors for hyperbilirubinemia in exclusively breast-fed infants.
  • To investigate the impact of specific genetic variants and delivery modes on neonatal jaundice.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 252 exclusively breast-fed term infants.
  • Assessed birth weight, sex, delivery mode, G6PD deficiency, UGT1A1, and SLCO1B1 gene variants.
  • Hyperbilirubinemia defined as serum bilirubin ≥15.0 mg/dL at 3 days old.

Main Results:

  • 23.4% of infants developed hyperbilirubinemia.
  • Significant risk factors included UGT1A1 variant nucleotide 211 (OR 2.48), G6PD deficiency (OR 12.24), and vaginal delivery (OR 3.55).

Conclusions:

  • Breast-fed neonates with UGT1A1 variants, G6PD deficiency, or born via vaginal delivery are at increased risk.
  • These findings aid in predicting and managing hyperbilirubinemia in breast-fed infants.
Abstract

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