9. Acute mastitis

What is the definition of “mastitis”?

• Mastitis→ is infection of the breast that fall into two general categories:

1. Lactational infections
2. Chronic subareolar infections associated with duct estasia. dilated, thick, Inflammed, filled w debris

• Lactational infections are thought to arise from entry of bacteria through the nipple into the duct system & are characterized by fever, leucocytosis, erythema and tenderness.
• Infections are most often caused by Staphylococcus aureus and may be manifested as cellulitis with breast parenchymal inflammation and swelling.

What is the usual clinical presentation of acute lactating infection of the breast (mastitis)?

• Acute mastitis in the lactating women usually is presented of cellulitis with
• Fever
• Pain
• Redness and swelling of the affected breast
• If initial breast infection is ignored, breast abscesses, like those elsewhere, will point with an option of spontaneously discharge on to the skin surface.

In general, what is the management of acute mastitis in lactating women?

• Antibiotics are the first line of treatment
• Breast-feeding should be continued to facilitate drained of the engorged segment
• Tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and ciprofloxacin should be avoided because they enter breast milk!
• If the infection fails to resolve, an abscess should be considered. Abscesses of the breast require surgical drainage.