Definition
Mastitis puerperalis is an inflammation of the female breast caused by bacteria and occurs during breastfeeding after pregnancy. “Mastitis” is Latin and means translated “inflammation of the mammary gland”, whereas “Puerpera” means “puerperal bed”. The inflammation can be stronger or weaker, depending on the pathogen that causes it and the accompanying factors.
Thus, the symptoms and the therapy also vary. A mastitis puerperalis that is only slightly pronounced requires patience and light household remedies, whereas a severe inflammation can sometimes be very dangerous. Mastitis puerperalis must be distinguished from mastitis non-puerperalis. The latter is slightly more common and refers to inflammation of the mammary glands that is not associated with pregnancy and lactation. This is not described in detail in this article.
Causes
The inflammation of the mammary gland in mastitis puerperalis is caused by bacterial pathogens. The main trigger is the very common and not always harmful bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. E. coli bacteria, streptococci and pneumococci can also cause the inflammation.
In addition, there are several factors that favour the development of the inflammation. The mother’s nipple is irritated by the breastfeeding process. Especially at the beginning of the postpartum period, when breastfeeding is still unusual, small cracks can develop in the nipple.
Through the cracks, bacteria from the skin or saliva of the newborn baby can penetrate the mammary glands and the connective tissue of the breast. The disease occurs mainly after 2-4 weeks of breastfeeding, as breastfeeding is still unusual during this time, but the germs already have sufficient time to multiply and spread in the breast. Furthermore, mastitis puerperalis can be differentiated into an inflammation of the connective tissue and lymphatic clefts or an inflammation of the mammary duct system.
Often there is a milk congestion in the mammary gland during the maternal breastfeeding period. The milk does not flow off properly, causing the tissue to harden, which only further promotes the milk congestion. The milk congestion also helps the bacteria to penetrate the glands and cause inflammation.
The invading pathogens often only cause the inflammation in a certain area of the breast and can form encapsulated centres of inflammation there. These are called abscesses. In most cases, the inflammation is located in the upper and outer area of the breast. This might also be of interest to you:
- Postpartum diseases
- Postpartum fever
- Breast abscess
