What clinical feature is associated with breastfeeding failure jaundice?

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Breastfeeding failure jaundice typically occurs in infants who are not receiving adequate breastfeeding during the first few days of life, leading to dehydration and subsequent hyperbilirubinemia. Signs of dehydration in these infants may include decreased urine output, dry mucous membranes, and weight loss, which is a common consequence of inadequate feeding.

In cases where infants are not breastfeeding effectively, bilirubin levels can rise due to insufficient elimination of bilirubin through bowel movements. Dehydration exacerbates this situation by reducing the infant’s ability to process and excrete bilirubin. Therefore, the presence of signs of dehydration is a critical clinical feature associated with breastfeeding failure jaundice, making it the correct choice.

Normal examination findings, weight gain, or exaggerated reflexes would not typically be associated with breastfeeding failure jaundice, as these findings suggest that the infant is adequately breastfeeding and not experiencing the complications that arise from insufficient intake.

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