Mastitis of newborns

Mastitis of newborns - inflammation of the breast is more common in newborns during the period of physiological swelling of the mammary glands. The cause of purulent mastitis is infection through the excretory ducts of the gland or damaged skin with insufficiently proper care of the newborn. The causative agent is Staphylococcus aureus. When the purulent process develops, inflammatory infiltration of the glandular tissue is noted with the formation of one or more abscesses in its lobules.

Clinical picture. The disease is manifested by an increase in the size of the breast, its tightening, increased local temperature, skin flushing and soreness. Soon there is a fluctuation in some areas of the infiltrated gland. In this case, the general condition may also suffer: the child is restless, sucks badly, the temperature rises. In the case of late diagnosis, mastitis can go to the phlegmon of the chest wall. Purulent mastitis is especially dangerous for girls. In severe forms of mastitis, part of the gland dies, and the outflow ducts are obliterated. Differential diagnosis is carried out primarily with physiological engorgement of the glands, in which all signs of inflammation are absent.

Treatment in the infiltrative phase of the disease is conservative: semi-alcohol compresses, ointment dressings, physiotherapy. When abscessing, surgical treatment (cuts in the radial direction, retreating 3-4 mm from the sucking mug over the softening site). It is desirable not to drain the wound. Apply a bandage with a hypertonic solution (0.02% chlorhexidine-bigluconate solution) for 2-3 hours, replacing it with an ointment. It is necessary to conduct a course of antibiotic and physiotherapy.

When melting the gland tissue, deformity and asymmetry of its growth, obliteration of the excretory ducts, lactation in adult women can develop in the future.