In a recent message related to the risk for Reye's Syndrome in an infant of
a breastfeeding mother who is taking salicylates, the statement was made
that salicylates can increase jaundice in the infant.  This is not correct.
Salicylates do NOT increase jaundice.  They may, possibly, increase the risk
for brain damage from bilirubin in an infant with an already elevated serum
bilirubin concentration by interfering with the binding of bilirubin to
albumin and fostering the shift of bilirubin out of the plasma into the
brain.  This is a highly theoretical concern and probably of no clinical
significance to the  breastfed infant who would receive such a small dose of
salicylate that it would not alter albumin binding.

From time to time, messages on Lactnet contain information that is not true.
This can be dangerous.  These errors are well-meant but result from
inadequate knowledge of a field, often a complex field.  I would like to
urge Lactnet authors to restrict their comments and advice to areas in which
they are expert, have significant experience and know the literature
thoroughly.  Someone asked me, specifically,  to pay attention to their
message about the need for the Academies to discipline their physicians when
they give inappropriate advice, such as prescribing juice to a young,
breastfeeding infant.  Inaccurate advice comes from all realms.  We all need
to be extremely circumspect about the advice we offer and the knowledge we
share.
                                                Larry Gartner
Lawrence M. Gartner, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics and Obstetrics/Gynecology
The University of Chicago
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