Complications
The development of mastitis may lead to the cessation of breastfeeding.
However, an abrupt cessation of breastfeeding may exacerbate the symptoms of mastitis, and there is an increased risk of breast abscess.
Effective treatment and support from healthcare workers and family are important.[40]
Any breast infection may be associated with bacteraemia, particularly in very young and immunosuppressed patients.
Sepsis can progress rapidly to multi-organ failure and shock, and is often fatal. Survival is dependent on early recognition and immediate intervention with empiric broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, which should be administered within 1 hour of recognition of suspected sepsis.
Breast infection, including an abscess that is adequately treated, is unlikely to cause significant breast scarring.
Surgical intervention other than needle aspiration may cause a post-operative scar.
Recurrent infections, tuberculosis, and granulomatous mastitis can cause significant breast deformity.
This refers to a breast that is unable to effectively lactate as a complication of prior tissue destruction from infection or treatment.
Damage to the infant breast bud from scarring and/or surgical intervention may cause subsequent breast asymmetry and/or hypoplasia.
Mastitis may be the initiating event for necrotising fasciitis.
Patients with Staphylococcus aureus mastitis are at risk for subsequent skin infections at extra-mammary sites.
Spontaneous rupture of an abscess can lead to a draining sinus with a resulting fistula.
A mammary fistula occurs in 1% to 2% of women.[60]
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