Dear Lacnetters,

I have a question (probably for the neonatologists out there?):
I've just skimmed through an article (JAMA, Tan 1998) about reduced response
to phototherapy in breasfed infants. His conclusions are
 "The response to phototherapy of group 2 infants was significantly slower
than that of group 3 and group 1 infants; this response was still of
adequate efficacy. The addition of formula to the feedings for totally
breast- fed infants, without suspension of breast-feeding, would enhance the
efficacy of phototherapy and reduce exposure time"

Now my actual question - does it actually matter that these infants take
longer to respond (so long as they do)? When treating infants for hyperbili.
does it matter as to how long they take to reduce their bili's (so long as
they don't keep increasing, and that their bili's begin to fall)?

I appreciate that the need to give formula to totally breastfed (actually
they would be totally breastfed.......) is out of date - at least in theory
anyway. Just wondering about the time frames  - the physiology, NOT the cost
of keeping the baby in hospital under the lamp!

Sara Bernard
The Netherlands

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