Final answer:
Breast milk jaundice occurs when high levels of unconjugated bilirubin accumulate in a newborn's blood, potentially leading to brain damage. The condition often requires phototherapy to lower bilirubin levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Breast milk jaundice is a condition that can occur in newborns due to the presence of high levels of bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Bilirubin is normally processed by the liver, becoming conjugated and excreted in bile into the gastrointestinal tract. However, in the early days of a newborn's life, the liver may not fully break down bilirubin, leading to its accumulation in the blood, known as unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Breast milk contains substances like glucuronidase that can increase the levels of unconjugated bilirubin by deconjugating already processed bilirubin, contributing to jaundice in the newborn.
If the concentration of bilirubin in the blood becomes too high, a condition called hyperbilirubinemia develops. This can lead to brain damage due to the neurotoxic effects of bilirubin, as newborns do not have a fully developed blood-brain barrier. Medical attention is required, and phototherapy is commonly used to reduce bilirubin levels effectively.