P39: Other infections specific to the perinatal period

P39.0: Neonatal infective mastitis

The breast is made up of fatty tissue, connective tissue and the mammary gland. Milk is produced in the mammary gland during and after pregnancy so that the child can be fed. Newborn babies usually have very small mammary glands. Male babies also have mammary glands. In girls, the mammary glands then grow during puberty.

The child’s mammary gland can become inflamed if bacteria penetrate. An inflamed mammary gland can be painful. The mammary gland may also turn red, swell up or be hotter than usual. There may also be fever.