Mastitis and Breast Abscess in Newborns and Infants

Abstract

Introduction: Mastitis and abscess of the newborn breast are serious infections. The objective of our study was to describe the epidemiological and therapeutic aspects of these infections in our context. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study from January 2017 to December 2019. We included all children aged ≤2 months admitted for mastitis or breast abscess. The variables studied were epidemiological and therapeutic. Results: We collected 34 files, i.e., 11.3 cases/year. The sex ratio was 0.5. The mean age was 16.3 ± 6.6 days. The mean time to the consultation was 3.7 ± 2.4 days. The parents had undertaken a massage in 79.4% of cases. It was mastitis in 12 cases and abscess in 21 cases. Treatment was surgical in 26 cases. Conclusion: This affection is frequent with a female predominance. Its management must be early. The proscription of breast massage would reduce its frequency.

A Case of Pediatric Breast Abscess Caused by Rarely Observed Bacteria in a Three-Year-Old Boy With an Inverted Nipple: Peptoniphilus harei, Actinotignum sanguinis, and Porphyromonas somerae

“…Common causes of breast infections include superficial breast injury, steroid use, immunodeficiencies, local skin infections, obesity, mammary duct ectasia, epidermoid cysts, and hidradenitis suppurativa [1]. In addition, in neonates, physiological hypertrophy of the newborn breast due to maternal estrogen and prolactin causes breast infections [2]. Here, we present a case of breast abscess in a three-year-old boy.…”

“…Compared with lactating women, mastitis and breast abscesses are rare in children and nonlactating women [1]. However, adolescent females and neonates before two months of age might develop mastitis and breast abscesses [1][2][3]. Mastitis is caused by a bacterial infection in the breast ductal system, which leads to breast abscesses if not promptly treated [1].…”