Sepsis from Neonatal Mastitis and Breast Abscess

ABSTRACT

Although some full-term neonates suffer from mastitis or a breast abscess, mastitis is not common in neonates and concurrent bacteremia is a rarely seen. We report the case of a 30-day old boy of African ethnicity, who was a full-term infant and appropriate for gestational age. At birth, he had bilateral palpable breast masses. He had high fever as well as swelling and nipple discharge in both breasts 30 days after birth. An ultrasonography of the breast showed masses with septa in both breasts. The breast masses were red in color, swollen, and felt hot to the touch. We incised the mass and performed a culture of the discharge. Staphylococcus epidermidis was detected in both blood and the breast discharge. In conclusion, the infant experienced neonatal bacteremia that originated from a breast abscess.