Significant Breast Asymmetry in a Twelve Year Old Female Adolescent Secondary to Neonatal Breast Abscess

Abstract

Introduction: Breast enlargement occurs commonly in term female neonates under the influence of maternal oestrogen. Neonatal mastitis results when there is a superadded bacterial infection on this physiologic neonatal breast enlargement with 50 to 70% of cases progressing to become breast abscess. One of the long term complications of neonatal breast abscess is poorly developed breast during and after puberty. Long term follows up of patients managed for neonatal mastitis and breast abscess is scarce. Case report: We present a 12year old Nigerian female adolescent who presented with underdeveloped right breast following poorly managed neonatal right breast abscess. The hormonal study, Chest X-ray, ultrasonography and clinical examination revealed no other abnormality. The patient was reassured and offered cosmetic measures as a coping strategy while awaiting definitive surgical correction.Conclusion: Underdeveloped and asymmetric breast is a common and traditionally serious long term complication of neonatal mastitis and neonatal abscess.