Antepartum mastitis: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Acute mastitis commonly occurs in the postpartum period. It has been reported only rarely in the antepartum period.


METHODS
A 14-year-old patient presented at 29 weeks gestation with her symptoms and examination consistent with bilateral mastitis that had worsened over 2 months. She had evidence of systemic infection. She was treated with parenteral antibiotics and local skin care. She gradually improved and delivered a healthy infant at term.


CONCLUSIONS
The management of antepartum mastitis can be derived from experience with puerperal mastitis. It must include early recognition, a search for predisposing factors and causative organisms, and aggressive treatment. Such an approach can lead to successful pregnancy outcome with minimal fetal or maternal morbidity.
Smith-Levitin
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Cornell University Medical Center/New York Hospital 525 E. 68th Street, Room J 130, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Skupski
D W
DW