Infant Insufficient Milk Syndrome Associated with Maternal Postpartum Hemorrhage

Insufficient milk syndrome is defined as failure to thrive in infants due to insufficient daily breastmilk intake. This discussion examines a possible association between insufficient milk syndrome and maternal postpartum hemorrhage. Ten consecutive cases of insufficient milk syndrome associated wit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of human lactation 1995-06, Vol.11 (2), p.123-126
Main Authors: Willis, Claire Elizabeth, Livingstone, Verity
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Failure to Thrive - etiology
Female
Hemoglobins - analysis
Humans
Lactation Disorders - etiology
Nursing
Postpartum Hemorrhage - blood
Postpartum Hemorrhage - complications
Pregnancy
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Summary:Insufficient milk syndrome is defined as failure to thrive in infants due to insufficient daily breastmilk intake. This discussion examines a possible association between insufficient milk syndrome and maternal postpartum hemorrhage. Ten consecutive cases of insufficient milk syndrome associated with maternal postpartum hemorrhage were identified. The mothers presented between 3 and 35 days postpartum. Maternal postpartum blood loss ranged from 500-1500 ml in eight cases (mean: 963 ml); in two cases, blood loss was noted as 400++ and 200++, respectively. Six mothers experienced a drop of hemoglobin by >30g/L; two had a drop in blood pressure >30mmHg for >20 minutes. All infants were failing to thrive. Five infants suffered hypernatremic dehydration with serum sodium levels ranging from 148-166mmolfL. Breastmilk electrolytes were measured in six cases, and elevated sodium levels, ranging from 21-lO Ommol/L, in five cases. These data serve to heighten awareness of insufficient milk syndrome as a potential consequence of postpartum hemorrhage. Early postpartum review of all breast-feeding mothers and infants is strongly encouraged.
ISSN:0890-3344
1552-5732
DOI:10.1177/089033449501100218