The Effects of Therapeutic Ultrasound on Breastmilk Composition: A Quasi-Experimental Pre-Post Design Study

Proceedings

article

Kristin Eu¹  Renee McGregor¹  Stephanie Melanko¹  Aik Ping Tay¹  Adelle McArdle²  Ching Tai Lai³  Donna T. Geddes³  Patricia Gaunt⁴  Leanda McKenna¹ 

[1] Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University;Monash Rural health, Monash University;School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia;Physiotherapy Department, King Edward Memorial Hospital

关键词: breastfeeding;    mastitis;    physiotherapy;    treatment;    breastmilk;    lactation;    therapeutic ultrasound;    breastmilk composition;   

DOI  :  10.3390/proceedings2023084011

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) is the most commonly used physiotherapy treatment for inflammatory conditions of the lactating breast (ICLB) which can affect up to 33% of post-partum women. There is no literature on whether the thermal effect of TUS alters breastmilk composition. The aim of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the effect of therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) on the pre–post-session protein, fat and lactose concentration of breastmilk. During a single session conducted in an enclosed room within the community in Perth, Western Australia, TUS was applied for 10 min to the right breast. Pre- and post-TUS 5 mL expressed breastmilk samples were collected. The main outcome measured was concentration of breastmilk protein (g/L), fat (%) and lactose (g/L) before and after application of TUS. There was a significant increase in breastmilk fat concentration between measures taken pre- and post-TUS (mean difference, 1.36%; 95% CI [0.97, 1.75], p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in breastmilk protein (mean difference, −0.64; 95% CI [−1.93, 0.64], p = 0.328) or lactose concentration (mean difference, −4.77; 95% CI [−11.57, 2.03], p = 0.169) between measures taken pre- and post-TUS. In conclusion, TUS applied to the healthy lactating breast does not adversely affect the protein, fat or lactose concentrations of breastmilk. The results of this study support the use of TUS as a safe treatment option for mothers suffering from ICLB.

【 授权许可】

CC BY