Immunologic predictors of inflammatory breast diseases during lactation

Aims: Inflammatory diseases of the breast (puerperal mastitis) are one of the most common reasons for early weaning. Mothers with puerperal mastitis often mention an emense amount of stress in their social surroundings. Higher levels of stress might lead to an imbalance of cytokines in breastmilk which cause an inflammatory reaction in the mammary tissue. Methods: To examine the correlation between stress and inflammatory breast diseases a prospective cohort study was performed. Sociodemographic data, psychometric data, breastmilk and blood samples were analyzed during the first three days postpartum. 12 weeks p…