Hi all. This is a mother/baby an IBCLC friend of mine has requested I ask
your collective wisdom about.
The baby is now 5 and a half months old (2nd baby). 6 weeks ago mother got a
bad chest infection and was treated with oral Erythromycin. Within a couple
of days she developed an itch, became jaundiced and had elevated bilirubin
level. Liver function tests were done and she was given the diagnosis of
intrahepatic cholestatic jaundice.
This week she returned for more blood tests: the bilirubin levels are still
elevated, however the jaundice is resolving. She has been commenced on
Questran. Mother says Questran contains phenylalanine and something else
that lowers cholesterol.
Her medical advisors have suggested that the baby is at risk (of what we
don't know!) while she is breastfeeding with this condition.  The
paediatrician is the person who referred this lady to my friend as he
doesn't know if or what could affect baby.
The baby has been well throughout, gaining weight, good urine output, poos a
bit more yellowish than usual (but mum reports just starting first solids -
pumpkin and apple).
What do you think?
Denise in Brisbane where it was a bit warm and sticky today.