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Journal of Human Lactation
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Subclinical Mastitis Is Common Among Ghanaian Women Lactating 3 to 4 Months Postpartum

Richmond N. O. Aryeetey, MPH

Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Grace S. Marquis, PhD

School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition and the Center for Indigenous Peoples' Nutrition and Environment at McGill University, Quebec, Canada, grace.marquis{at}mcgill.ca

Leo Timms, PhD

Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Anna Lartey, PhD

Nutrition and Food Science Department, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana

Lucy Brakohiapa, PhD

Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Ghana

Subclinical mastitis (SCM) is an asymptomatic inflammation of mammary tissue and has been associated with lactation failure, suboptimal growth in early infancy, and increased risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV via breast milk. A rapid survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of SCM among lactating Ghanaian women between 3 and 4 months postpartum. Bilateral breast milk samples were obtained from 117 lactating women in Manya Krobo, Ghana and analyzed for sodium (Na) and potassium (K). An elevated sodium/potassium ratio (Na/K) above 1.0 was considered indicative of SCM. Overall, SCM prevalence was observed among 45.3% of the women. About 30% of the women had unilateral SCM. Na/K was associated with maternal age. The high SCM prevalence in Manya Krobo suggests the need for lactation support to reduce SCM and the risk of poor infant outcomes. J Hum Lact. 24(3):263-267.

Key Words: breastfeeding • infant growth • subclinical mastitis • sodium/potassium ratio • Ghana

Journal of Human Lactation, Vol. 24, No. 3, 263-267 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0890334408316077
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