Re-examination of old truths: replication of a study to measure the incidence of lactational mastitis in breastfeeding women

International Breastfeeding Journal

Linda J Kvist¹ 

[1] Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Sweden, Helsingborg Hospital, Helsingborg, Sweden

关键词: Antibiotics;    Causes;    Incidence;    Lactational mastitis;   

Others  :  801176
DOI  :  10.1186/1746-4358-8-2

 received in 2012-12-22, accepted in 2013-04-19,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

Background

The reported incidence of lactational mastitis varies greatly; the single highest reported incidence in the scientific literature is 33%. The purpose of this study was to collect data regarding incidence and experiences of lactational mastitis from women attending a meeting of lactation specialists and to compare findings in a similar population reported in 1990 by Riordan and Nichols.

Methods

A retrospective questionnaire study was carried out with a group of Danish lactation specialists in 2011. The questionnaire was constructed to replicate that used in 1990 and included questions about occurrence of mastitis, the infant’s age, breast segments afflicted, examination by a physician, use of antibiotics and possible causes of the illness.

Results

As in the earlier research, respondents in this study reported a 33% occurrence of lactational mastitis. This cannot however, be considered as the incidence of mastitis. In order to state the incidence it is necessary to impose a time limit for the collection of data and to know the size of the population at risk. Incomplete emptying of the breast was the factor most frequently cited as the cause of mastitis.

Conclusions

Researchers must strive to be as exact as possible when reporting definitions and incidences of mastitis and should attempt to identify the true population at risk – in this case, all women who were breastfeeding in the uptake area under study, during a specified time limit. Well-designed studies in different global locations are needed before any conclusions can been drawn about the range of incidences of mastitis.

【 授权许可】

   
2013 Kvist; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

【 参考文献 】

• [1]Popper K: The Logic of Scientific Discovery. London, UK: Routledge; 1959.
• [2]Evans M, Heads J: Mastitis: Incidence, prevalence and cost. Breastfeed Rev 1995, 3(2):65-71.
• [3]Potter B: A multi-method approach to measuring mastitis incidence. Community Pract 2005, 78:169-173.
• [4]Everitt BS, Palmer C: Encyclopaedic Companion to Medical Statistics. 1st edition. UK: Wiley and sons; 2006.
• [5]Kinlay JR, O’Connell DL, Kinlay S: Incidence of mastitis in breastfeeding women during the six months after delivery: a prospective cohort study. Med J Aust 1998, 169:310-312.
• [6]Amir LH, Forster DA, Lumley J, McLachlan H: A descriptive study of mastitis in Australian breastfeeding women: incidence and determinants. BMC Public Health 2007, 7:62. BioMed Central Full Text
• [7]Foxman B, D’Arcy H, Gillespie B, Bobo JK, Schwartz K: Lactation mastitis: occurrence and medical management among 946 breastfeeding women in the United States. Am J Epidemiol 2002, 155(2):103-114.
• [8]Vogel A, Hutchison L, Mitchell EA: Mastitis in the first year postpartum. Birth 1999, 26(4):218-225.
• [9]Fetherston C: Characteristics of lactation mastitis in a Western Australian cohort. Breastfeed Rev 1997, 5:5-11.
• [10]Kvist LJ, Hall-Lord ML, Rydhstroem H, Wilde LB: A randomised controlled trial in Sweden of acupuncture and care interventions for the relief of inflammatory symptoms of the breast during lactation. Midwifery 2007, 23:184-195.
• [11]Riordan JM, Nichols FH: A descriptive study of lactation mastitis in long-term breastfeeding women. J Hum Lact 1990, 6(2):53-58.
• [12]Kvist LJ, Wilde Larsson B, Hall-Lord ML, Steen A, Schalén C: The role of bacteria in lactational mastitis and some considerations of the use of antibiotics. Int Breastfeed J 2008, 3:6. BioMed Central Full Text
• [13]Amir LH, Harris H, Andriske L: An audit of mastitis in the emergency department. J Hum Lact 1999, 15:221-224.
• [14]Jonsson S, Pulkkinen MO: Mastitis today: Incidence, prevention and treatment. Ann Chir Gynaecol 1994, 83:84-87.
• [15]Osterman KL, Rahm VA: Lactation mastitis: bacterial cultivation of breast milk, symptoms, treatment, and outcome. J Hum Lact 2000, 16:297-302.
• [16]Scott JA, Robertson M, Fitzpatrick J, Knight C, Mulholland S: Occurrence of lactational mastitis and medical management: A prospective cohort study in Glasgow. Int Breastfeed J 2008, 3:21. BioMed Central Full Text
• [17]Fetherston C: Mastitis in lactating women: physiology or pathology? Breastfeed Rev 2001, 9(1):5-12.
• [18]Kinlay JR, O’Connell DL, Kinlay S: Risk factors for mastitis in breastfeeding women: report of a prospective cohort study. Aust N Z J Public Health 2001, 25(2):115-120.
• [19]Wambach KA: Lactation mastitis: a descriptive study of the experience. J Hum Lact 2003, 19(1):24-34.
• [20]Barbosa-Cesnik C, Schwartz K, Foxman B: Lactation mastitis. JAMA 2003, 289(13):1609-1612.
• [21]WHO Mastitis: causes and management. 2000. [http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/66230/1/WHO_FCH_CAH_00.13.pdf webcite]