Neonatal jaundice and diet.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether an earlier observation, that infants fed a casein-hydrolysate formula (Nutramigen) have lower neonatal jaundice levels than those fed standard formulas, would be repeated in a larger independent group of infants with more frequent measurements and more rigorous statistical analysis.

DESIGN

Newborn infants were fed human milk, a standard whey-predominant formula (Enfamil), or Nutramigen (n = 20 for each group) during the first 3 weeks of life. Transcutaneous jaundice index was measured daily for the first week of life and every 2 to 3 days thereafter, using a noninvasive jaundice meter. Linear regression models of the data were constructed, validated, and compared statistically.

SETTING

General community hospital with subsequent home visitation.

PARTICIPANTS

Healthy, term newborn infants selected by convenience, based on time of birth.

INTERVENTION: Infants were exclusively fed human milk, Enfamil, or Nutramigen. Formulas were randomly assigned.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Jaundice index, a transcutaneous measurement of jaundice.

RESULTS

The jaundice index differed significantly among the 3 groups. Paired comparisons showed that the jaundice index of the Nutramigen group was significantly lower than that of the Enfamil group (on days 6-16) and the human milk group (on days 3-20). The jaundice index of the Enfamil-fed group was significantly lower than that of the human milk group on days 13 to 19.

CONCLUSIONS

Jaundice levels are lower in neonates fed Nutramigen rather than Enfamil and both these groups have lower jaundice levels than breast-fed infants.