MRSA Controllable in Breastfeeding Moms

A new study by UT Southwestern Medical Center physicians shows that many breastfeeding moms who have been hospitalized for breast abscesses are afflicted with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, but conventional treatment can fix the problem. The research looked at hospitalized women with mastitis, and showed that those who had both mastitis and abscesses were more likely to host MRSA infections. This particular research included 136,459 women who delivered babies between 1997 and 2005 of which 127 were hospitalized with mastitis.

Dr. Irene Stafford, assistant instructor of obstetrics and gynecology and lead author of the study says, “The take-home message is that not every patient with mastitis necessarily needs an antibiotic against MRSA. She will improve with a less specific antibiotic as long as she also empties her breasts, either through feeding or pumping, and if there’s an abscess, gets it treated.” In addition, the study shows that if a breastfeeding mom has mastitis or an abscess caused by MRSA, she may not immediately need antibiotics against MRSA. It's another story, though, if the infection does not respond to conventional antibiotic therapy. Dr. George Wendel, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and senior author of the study says, “The physician can take the time to test the patient to determine what kind of bacteria she has. We found that you’re not going to put the patient at a disadvantage if you start her on traditional antibiotics while you wait for culture results.”

As usual, if you think you're on the verge of a breast infection, or have a sense that "something isn't quite right" breast-wise, seek medical attention immediately.