Subclinical Mastitis Is Common Among Ghanaian Women Lactating 3 to 4 Months Postpartum

Abstract

Subclinical mastitis (SCM) is an asymptomatic inflammation of mammary tissue and has been associated with lactation failure, suboptimal growth in early infancy, and increased risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV via breast milk. A rapid survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of SCM among lactating Ghanaian women between 3 and 4 months postpartum. Bilateral breast milk samples were obtained from 117 lactating women in Manya Krobo, Ghana and analyzed for sodium (Na) and potassium (K). An elevated sodium/potassium ratio (Na/K) above 1.0 was considered indicative of SCM. Overall, SCM prevalence was observed among 45.3% of the women. About 30% of the women had unilateral SCM. Na/K was associated with maternal age. The high SCM prevalence in Manya Krobo suggests the need for lactation support to reduce SCM and the risk of poor infant outcomes. J Hum Lact. 24(3):263-267.

La mastitis subclínica (MSC) es una inflamación sintomática del tejido mamario y se ha asociado con el fracaso de la lactancia materna, crecimiento subóptimo en la primera infancia, y aumento del riesgo de la transmisión madre-hijo del VIH a través de la leche materna. Hicimos una encuesta rápida para determinar la prevalencia de la MSC entre mujeres lactando en Ghana entre los 3 y 4 meses postparto. Se obtuvieron muestras bilaterales de leche de 117 mujeres lactando en Manya Krobo, Ghana y se analizó el sodio (Na) y el potasio (K). Niveles elevados del rango sodio-potasio (Na/K) sobre 1.0 se consideraron indicativos de MSC. En general, la prevalencia de SCM fue de 45.3% de las cuales 29.9% fueron unilateral. El Na/K se asoció con la edad materna. Alta prevalencia de MSC en Manya Krobo sugiere la necesidad de apoyo a la lactancia para reducir la MSC y el riesgo de impacto en la salud del bebe.

Keywords

breastfeeding infant growth subclinical mastitis sodium/potassium ratio Ghana

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