Relationships between symptoms and changes in breast physiology during lactation mastitis.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to investigate changes in milk composition that reflect variations in breast permeability, milk synthesis, and immune response in women before, during, and after mastitis.


METHODS
Mothers (n = 26) were followed prospectively from day 5 postpartum to the end of their lactation. Milk from each breast, blood, 24-hour urine samples, and data on breast and systemic pathologies were collected at reference intervals during the first 3 months postpartum, daily during the occurrence of any breast inflammation, and 7 days after resolution of symptoms, and was analyzed using mixed-model analysis (repeated measures).


RESULTS
There was a significant difference in sodium (p < 0.001), chloride (p < 0.001), serum albumin (p < 0.02) and lactose (p < 0.003) in the breast with mastitis when compared with both the contralateral asymptomatic breast and "healthy" breasts. Inflammation of the whole breast was a significant predictor for a decreased glucose (p < 0.01) and hyperacute systemic symptoms predicted a decrease in milk glucose (p < 0.03) and an increased lactoferrin (p < 0.05) and sIgA (p < 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
There is an increased breast permeability, reduced milk synthesis, and increased concentration of the immune components sIgA and lactoferrin with increasing severity of breast and systemic symptoms. The changes observed in milk composition during periods of increased breast permeability cannot be solely explained by the current theory of permeability of the paracellular pathway and further research in this area is required.
Fetherston
Catherine M
CM
Attadale Private Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. cfethers@gmail.com <cfethers@gmail.com>
Lai
C T
CT
Hartmann
Peter E
PE
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D001940:Breast / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000502:physiology; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000378:metabolism*; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism*; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000378:metabolism*; D007785:Lactose / Q000378:metabolism; D008413:Mastitis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D002712:Chlorides; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D012709:Serum Albumin; D012964:Sodium; D007781:Lactoferrin; D007785:Lactose