Breast milk β-glucuronidase levels in hyperbilirubinemia

Breast milk beta -glucuronidase was thought to be one of the etiological factors in the pathogenesis of late-onset breast-milk jaundice, but results of these studies are conflicting. In this study breast milk beta -glucuronidase levels were determined in groups with physiologic jaundice, early breast-feeding jaundice and late breastmilk jaundice. No difference in beta -glucuronidase levels of these three groups was found in samples taken on the 4(th) and 15(th) days of life. beta -glucuronidase activity in breast milk declined from the 4(th) to 15(th) day in all groups. These results imply that factors other than breast milk beta -glucuronidase activity should be investigated to reveal the pathogenesis of late-onset breast-milk jaundice.