What represents a significant feature of breast milk jaundice compared to breastfeeding jaundice?

Breast milk jaundice is characterized by an elevation in bilirubin levels due to substances in breast milk that can inhibit the hepatic uptake or conjugation of bilirubin. Unlike breastfeeding jaundice, which is typically related to inadequate intake and results in dehydration or inadequate bilirubin excretion, breast milk jaundice usually occurs in otherwise well-fed infants and is not due to insufficient caloric intake.

The notable feature of breast milk jaundice is that it typically appears after the first week of life, often peaking at around two weeks of age, and it can persist for several weeks. The elevated bilirubin levels can be significantly higher in breast milk jaundice because of the specific factors present in breast milk that increase bilirubin reabsorption in the intestines.

In this context, it is essential to understand that while breastfeeding jaundice is linked to inadequate feeding leading to increased levels of unconjugated bilirubin due to dehydration or insufficient caloric intake, breast milk jaundice occurs despite adequate feeding and involves a separate mechanism related to the composition of breast milk itself. Thus, recognizing the increase in bilirubin levels is key in differentiating between the two forms of jaundice in newborns.