Objective: To investigate the changes in epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations in infants' serum and breast milk in neonates with late-onset breast milk jaundice after stopping breast feeding.
Methods: Thirty full-term infants with late-onset breast milk jaundice were included in the study. Infants' serum and breast milk were collected before and 72 hours after stopping breast feeding, and the total bilirubin and EGF concentrations in infants' serum and EGF concentration in breast milk were measured respectively.
Results: At 72 hours after stopping breast feeding, the total bilirubin and EGF concentrations in infants' serum were significantly decreased (P<0.05), but the EGF concentration in breast milk did not show significant change (P>0.05).
Conclusions: After stopping breast feeding, the neonates with late-onset breast milk jaundice show significant decreases in serum EGF concentration, but the EGF concentration in breast milk shows no significant change. The role and action mechanism of EGF in late-onset breast milk jaundice need further study.