breast infection in neonates
Last reviewed 01/2018
In response to maternal hormones the breast bud in newborn babies may be enlarged and this can occasionally become infected.
The organism involved is usually Staphylococcus aureus, but on occasion Escherichia coli may be detected.
Treatment is with appropriate antibiotics, although if an abscess is present, aspiration then drainage may be appropriate. If drainage is required, care should be taken not to damage the neonatal breast bud, by placing any incision as peripheral as possible.