Which condition should be included in the differential diagnosis for an infant with jaundice and breastfeeding as the primary feeding method?

Breast milk jaundice is the correct condition to consider in the differential diagnosis for an infant presenting with jaundice, particularly when breastfeeding is the primary feeding method. This condition typically occurs in the later days of life, usually after the first week, when infants have already been receiving breast milk. Breast milk jaundice is believed to be related to substances in breast milk that can inhibit the conjugation of bilirubin in the liver, leading to increased levels of unconjugated bilirubin.

In the context of breastfeeding, where dehydration or inadequate intake could contribute to jaundice, breast milk jaundice is specifically relevant. It is characterized by a peak bilirubin level reached around the second week of life and is generally considered a benign and self-limiting condition.

In assessing an infant with jaundice, it is important to evaluate for conditions like neonatal sepsis, hypoglycemia, and other infections, but breast milk jaundice stands out in the case of infants who are primarily breastfed due to its association with the breastfeeding process and the timing of its onset.