BREAST COMPLICATIONS

PRESENTED BY
SRIDEVI DEVARAJ
ASST.LECTURER
KCON
BANGALORE.
BREAST COMPLICATIONS
The common breast complications in puerperium

are:
(1) breast engorgement,
(2) cracked and retracted nipple leading to difficulty
in breastfeeding,
(3) mastitis and breast abscess,
(4) lactation failure.
 BREAST ENGORGEMENT

Breast engorgement occurs in the mammary

glands due to expansion and pressure exerted by

the synthesis and storage of breast milk.
 CAUSES

Breast engorgement is due to exaggerated normal

venous and lymphatic engorgement of the breasts
which precedes lactation.
 This in turn prevents escape of milk from the
lacteal system.
The primiparous patient and the patient with

inelastic breasts are likely to be involved.

 Engorgement is an indication that the baby is not
in step with the stage of lactation
 ONSET:

It usually manifests after the milk secretion starts

(third or fourth day postpartum).

 SYMPTOMS
 (a) Considerable pain and feeling of tenseness or
heaviness in both the breasts,
(b) Generalized malaise or even transient rise of
temperature
(c) Painful breastfeeding.
 PREVENTION

i) To avoid pre lacteal feeds

(ii) To initiate breastfeeding early and

unrestricted,
(iii) exclusive breastfeeding on demand,

(iv) Feeding in correct position,

(v) Correct latch on
 TREATMENT:

(1) To support the breasts with a binder or

brassiere,
(2) Frequent suckling,
(3) Manual expression of any remaining milk after
each feed,
(4) To administer analgesics for pain,

(5) The baby should be put to the breast regularly

at frequent intervals,
(6) In a severe case, gentle use of a breast pump
may be helpful.
CRACKED AND RETRACTED NIPPLE
The nipple may become painful due to—
(1) Loss of surface epithelium with the formation
of a raw area on the nipple,
(2) Due to a fissure situated either at the tip or the
base of the nipple.
These two conditions frequently coexist and are
referred to as cracked nipple.
 CAUSES
(a) unclean hygiene resulting in formation of a crust over
the nipple,
(b) retracted nipple, and
(c) trauma from baby’s mouth due to incorrect
attachment to the breast,
(d) infection with Candida albicans and S. aureus is often
present.
 SYMPTOM

The condition may remain asymptomatic but

becomes painful while breastfeeding.

 PROPHYLAXIS
Prophylaxis includes local cleanliness during

pregnancy and in the puerperium before and after

each breastfeeding to prevent crust formation
over the nipple.
 TREATMENT:
Correct attachment (latch on) -immediate
relief from pain and rapid healing.
 Fresh human milk and saliva have got healing
properties.
Purified lanolin with the mother’s milk is
applied three or four times a day to hasten
healing.