Effect of Herbal Compresses for Maternal Breast Engorgement at Postpartum: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Maternal breast engorgement is one of the most common problems in the postpartum period. There are several alternative treatments, but there have not been any randomized controlled trial studies about the effects of herbal compresses for breast engorgement. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to investigate the effects of herbal compresses for maternal breast engorgement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. The postpartum mothers who had breast engorgement were randomly assigned to herbal or hot compress treatments. The breast engorgement pain scores were assessed by visual analog scales pre- and post-treatment. The pain reduction scales of the herbal compress treatments were analyzed and compared with the hot compress treatments. The adverse effects of each treatment were recorded and collected after 24 hours from treatments. RESULTS: The data from 500 postpartum mothers with breast engorgement were available for analyses, 250 from the herbal compress group and 250 from the hot compress group. The baseline characteristics of both groups were similar except baseline breast engorgement pain score (herbal compress group higher than hot compress group). There were statistically significant mean differences of breast engorgement pain before and after treatment between the herbal and hot compress groups. No serious complications were found after treatment from herbal compresses. CONCLUSION: Among the postpartum mothers who had breast engorgement, the herbal compresses could decrease breast engorgement pain. The pain reduction after herbal compresses was found to be greater than with the hot compresses.

Efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine Zengru Gao to promote breastfeeding: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is recommended worldwide but not fully practiced. The first week after childbirth is regarded as a critical period for increasing breast milk production. The aim of the study was to investigate whether Chinese herbal medicine Zengru Gao would result in more women breastfeeding in the first week after childbirth. METHODS: A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted of 588 mothers considering breastfeeding in China. Among the mothers of the intervention group, the intervention included Chinese herbal medicine Zengru Gao; among those of the control group, it did not. Primary outcomes were the percentages of fully and partially breastfeeding mothers. Secondary outcome was baby's daily formula intake. RESULTS: At 3 d and 7 d after delivery, significant differences were found in favour of Zengru Gao group on the percentage of full/ partial breastfeeding (Z = - 3.0037, p = 0.0027). At day 7, the percentage of full/ partial breastfeeding of the active group increased to 71.48%/20.70% versus 58.67%/30.26% in the control group, the differences remained significant (Z = - 3.0037, p = 0.0027). No statistically significant differences were detected on primary measures at 1 d. While intake of formula differed between groups at 1 d and 3 d, this difference did not achieve statistical significance, but this difference was apparent by 7 d (55.45 ± 115.39 ml/day vs 90.66 ± 153.89 ml/day). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Chinese Herbal medicine Zengru Gao enhanced breastfeeding success during one week postpartum. The approach is acceptable to participants and merits further evaluation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR-IPR-15007376 , December 11, 2015.

Anquiloglosia y problemas de succión, tratamiento multidisciplinar: terapia miofuncional orofacial, sesiones de lactancia materna y frenotomía / Ankyloglossia and breastfeeding problems, multidisciplinary management: Orofacial myofunctional therapy, breastfeeding sessions and frenotomy

Introducción. La limitación de la movilidad lingual en neonatos puede ocasionar problemas en la lactancia, entre ellos: dolor-grietas-mastitis en la madre, mal progreso de peso del neonato y duración excesivamente larga de las tomas. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar la efectividad de los tratamientos realizados en los pacientes con anquiloglosia y trastornos de succión. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo preliminar de la efectividad del circuito establecido entre los servicios de Cirugía Oral y Maxilofacial, Logopedia y Rehabilitación Orofacial y Lactancia Materna para el tratamiento de los pacientes que acuden con problemas de lactancia materna y se les diagnostica anquiloglosia. Resultados. Se trató a 61 pacientes de edades entre 0 y 6meses con anquiloglosia asociada a problemas clínicos relacionados con la lactancia: 20 niñas (32.8%) y 41 niños (67.2%). Se establecieron 3 grupos según el tratamiento realizado: grupo1 (n=6) únicamente las sesiones de lactancia materna (SLM), grupo2 (n=19) terapia miofuncional (TMF) y asesoramiento en SLM, y grupo3 (n=36) frenotomía y siguieron TMF y asesoramiento de SLM. La anquiloglosia tipoiii es el frenillo lingual más frecuente (57.4%). En el total de la muestra se observaron mejorías en los parámetros que valoran la efectividad y el confort de la lactancia materna. Conclusiones. Mejorar la succión es posible; se recomienda estimular la succión con terapia miofuncional antes y después de la frenotomía, y también en aquellos casos en los que no será necesaria la cirugía (AU)

Introduction. The limitation of lingual mobility in newborns can cause problems in lactation. Among these problems are, soreness, cracked nipples or mastitis in the mother, poor weight gain of the newborn, and an excessively prolonged period of time in each breastfeed. The aim of this study is evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment received by the newborns with breastfeeding problems and ankyloglossia. Material and methods. A preliminary study of the effectiveness of the circuit established between the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Speech Therapy and Orofacial Rehabilitation and the Breastfeeding Department to treat patients that attended the hospital with breastfeeding problems and were diagnosed with ankyloglossia. Results. A total of 61 patients with ages between 0 and 6 months had ankyloglossia were seen due to clinical problems related to breastfeeding. Of these, 20 (32.8%) were girls and 41 (67.2%) were boys. Three groups were established in accordance with the treatment carried out: group1 (n=6) solely from the Breastfeeding Sessions (BFS), group2 (n=19) Myofunctional Therapy (MFT) and BFS, and group3 (n=36) Frenotomy, followed by MFT and BFS. Ankyloglossia type3 was the most frequent lingual frenulum (57.4%). From the total sample, improvements were observed in the parameters that assessed the effectiveness and comfort of breastfeeding. Conclusions. Improving breastfeeding is possible, and in some cases, surgery should not be necessary. If surgery is required, it is recommended to stimulate suction before and after the frenotomy with myofunctional therapy (AU)

The Effect of Hollyhock (Althaea officinalis L) Leaf Compresses Combined With Warm and Cold Compress on Breast Engorgement in Lactating Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Breast engorgement affects lactation. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of hollyhock combined with warm and cold compresses on improving breast engorgement in lactating women. Participants included 40 women with breast engorgement divided into intervention and control groups, with participants in both groups being applied routine interventions and warm compress before nursing and a cold compress after nursing; however, the intervention group was also applied hollyhock compress. Both groups received these treatments 6 times during 2 days. The data collected were analyzed in SPSS-16 using a generalized estimating equation. According to the results, a significant difference was observed in the overall breast engorgement severity in the intervention group (P < .001). The severity of breast engorgement was also found to have a significant relationship with time (P < .001). According to the findings, hollyhock leaf compress combined with performing routine interventions for breast engorgement can improve breast engorgement.

Effects of massage treatment combined with topical cactus and aloe on puerperal milk stasis.

AIM: Puerperal milk stasis is one of the most common puerperal complication that directly affects breastfeeding. Massage treatment with topical cactus and aloe for puerperal milk stasis might be a superior treatment, and it does not affect breastfeeding. METHODS: The intervention group was treated with massages with cactus and aloe cold compresses, and the control group was treated with massage treatment or cactus and aloe cold compresses alone. We evaluated the efficacies of the treatments through comparisons of the feeding patterns, hardness, and pain after treatment between the three groups. RESULTS: We found that breastfeeding rates were significantly increased in the massage combine with combined with cactus and aloe cold compress group (P < 0.05 for both). Breast hardness and pain were reduced to greater extents in massage combine with combined with cactus and aloe cold compress group than in the massage or cold compress group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Massage treatment with topical cactus and aloe topical effectively improved the pain status, hard lump of puerperal milk stasis and increase breastfeeding rate.

[Effects of Maidang Rutong granule on l-dopa-induced galactozemia in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study galactagogue effect of Maidang Rutong granule on the lactation rats. METHOD: The experiments were designed to observe the efficiency of Maidang Rutong granule on lactescence, serum prolactin, and morphology of mammary gland with rat galactozemia model established by injecting l-dopa. RESULT: Maidang Rutong granule showed significant enhancement for lactescence and the offspring's body weight. It could antagonize the decrease of serum prolactin and the atrophy of mammary gland induced by l-dopa. CONCLUSION: Maidang Rutong granule exhibited significant galactagogue effect on the l-dopa-induced galactozemia in rats.

Expressing and storing colostrum antenatally for use in the newborn period.

Colostrum is universally acknowledged as the perfect first food for infants. Oxytocin is the hormone of both labour and lactation but the literature shows that it does not always induce labour. A review of the custom of expressing antenatally by all women is followed by the maternal and infant medical reasons for expressing and storing colostrum. A suggested regime for expressing and storage of colostrum during pregnancy is included with advice about skin-to-skin contact in the first twenty-four hours to maximise breastmilk output in the long term.

Nursing sickness in the mink--a metabolic mystery or a familiar foe?

Nursing sickness, the largest single cause of mortality in adult female mink (Mustela vison), is an example of a metabolic disorder, which develops when the demands for lactation require extensive mobilization of body energy reserves. The condition is characterized by progressive weight loss, emaciation, and dehydration with high concentrations of glucose and insulin in the blood. Morbidity due to nursing sickness can be as high as 15% with mortality around 8%, but the incidence is known to vary from year to year. Stress has been shown to trigger the onset of the disease and old females and females with large litters are most often affected. Increasing demand for gluconeogenesis from amino acids due to heavy milk production may be a predisposing factor. Glucose metabolism is inextricably linked to that of protein and fats. In obesity (or lipodystrophy), the ability of adipose tissue to buffer the daily influx of nutrients is overwhelmed (or absent), interfering with insulin-mediated glucose disposal and leading to insulin resistance. Polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 family play an important role in modulating insulin signalling and glucose uptake by peripheral tissue. The increasing demand on these fatty acids for milk fat synthesis towards late lactation may result in deficiency in the lactating female, thus impairing glucose disposal. It is suggested that the underlying cause of mink nursing sickness is the development of acquired insulin resistance with 3 contributing key elements: obesity (or lipodystrophy), n-3 fatty acid deficiency, and high protein oxidation rate. It is recommended that mink breeder females be kept in moderate body condition during fall and winter to avoid fattening or emaciation. A dietary n-3 fatty acid supplement during the lactation period may be beneficial for improved glycemic control. Lowering of dietary protein reduces (oxidative) stress and improves water balance in the nursing females and may, therefore, prevent the development and help in the management of nursing sickness. It is also surmised that other, thus far unexplained, metabolic disorders seen in male and female mink may be related to acquired insulin resistance.

[Failure of milk ejection reflex in primiparous cows from the differential diagnostic and therapeutic aspects]. / Störungen des Milchejektionsreflexes bei Erstkalbinnen aus differentialdiagnostischer und therapeutischer Sicht.

A particular failure of the milk-ejection reflex in dairy cows is described on the base of own experiences in farms and reports from literature. Four cases are reported more in detail. Quantity and fat content of cisternal, alveolar and residual milk fractions, oxytocin content in blood serum, milk-ejection after manual teat stimulation, after massage of the clitoris or rectal stimulation of the vagina and cervix were investigated. This failure of the milk-ejection is observed mostly in primiparous cows and always at the begin of the lactation period. It is complete and permanent unless successfully treated, and seems to be based on an central inhibition of the oxytocin release. Treatment consists of thorough udder stimulation and milking followed by an i.v. application of oxytocin in order to remove the residual milk portion. The condition has a good prognosis, if the treatment is carried out regularly for some days and even weeks. Acute Mastitis is the main differential diagnosis.

[A physiological validation for the early diagnosis of hypogalactia in women]. / Fiziologicheskoe obosnovanie rannei diagnostiki gipogalaktii u zhenshchin.

Colostrum cell composition observed during the first 24 hrs following delivery objectively reflects the degree of prelactation preparation of the breast. The state of neutrophilic leucocytes appeared to be the most informative in this respect. In normal lactation, maximal number of neutrophilic leucocytes was found during the first 24 hrs after delivery. The leucocyte inflow to the colostrum is highly increased in hypogalactia. Leucocytes aggregation which is the most characteristic for normal lactation did not occur in hypogalactia. The activity of alkaline phosphatase and myeloperoxidase of leucocytes is much higher in normal lactation and much lower in hypogalactia. The evaluation of alkaline phosphatase activity and sudanophilic lipids content shows no differences related to the lactation level.

Composition of breast fluid of a man with galactorrhea and hyperprolactinaemia.

It has been previously reported that men with and without known disease can produce milk, but no studies to date have demonstrated that their secretion contains milk constituents produced specifically by the breast. The present study shows the presence of lactose, alpha-lactalbumin, and lactoferrin in the breast secretion of a 27-yr-old male who had galactorrhea associated with hyperprolactinaemia. The concentrations of lactose, proteins, and electrolytes in the breast secretion of this man are within the range of colostrum and milk obtained from normal lactating women.

Hypothalamic hypopituitarism presenting as galactorrhea-amenorrhea.

A young woman with secondary amenorrhea was also found to have a deficiency of growth hormone. Functional deficiency of adrenocorticotropic and thyroid stimulating hormones, and probably prolactin-inhibiting hormone, developed subsequently. No evidence of a mass lesion in the hypothalamic pituitary axis was found. She failed to respond to any pharmacologic agent believed to act functionally at a suprapituitary level, but responded to all stimuli believed to act directly on the pituitary. This progressive failure of the endocrine hypothalamus may be an extension of the idiopathic hypopituitarism syndrome found in children.

Gonadotropic responsiveness to clomiphene, LRH, estradiol, and bromocriptine in galactorrheic women.

Twenty hyperprolactinemic patients with galactorrhea were studied to determine their gonadotropic responses to various stimuli. Five women lacked response to gonadotropin following the administration of clomiphene citrate. Ten patients who had luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LRH) tests before and during bromocriptine administration exhibited varied FSH and LH responses that apparently were unaffected by bromocriptine therapy. A loss of the normal positive feedback of estrogens at the level of the hypothalamus was demonstrated in most patients before and during bromocriptine therapy. Long-term treatment with bromocriptine in 11 women resulted in a decrease of serum prolactin, cessation of lactation in all, and pregnancy in 8. These results suggest that the failure of normal secretion of gonadotropins in hyperprolactinemic women may result from 1) inadequate release of endogenous LRH, and 2) loss of the positive feedback of estrogens, as a result of the same hypothalamic disturbance that provokes the hyperprolactinemia. In turn, the elevated prolactin levels may exert a short-loop negative feedback at the hypothalamic level, inhibiting cyclic gonadotropin release.

Hypothalamic-pituitary function in diverse hyperprolactinemic states.

Prolactin secretion in normal adults is characterized by periods of episodic secretion which increase in magnitude during sleep. In this study, we report the 24-h mean prolactin concentrations, prolactin secretory patterns, and associated pituitary hormone function in nine patients (seven women and two men) with hyperprolactinemia of diverse etiologies. Four of the women and one of the men had clinically demonstrable pituitary tumors, one boy had a hypothalamic tumor, and the three other women had "functional" hyperprolactinemia. The 24-h mean prolactin concentrations derived from averaging the 20-min interval samples for 24 h ranged from 28.6 to 1,220 ng/ml. The plasma prolactin patterns in these patients showed persistence of episodic secretion in all and loss of the normal sleep-wake difference in plasma prolactin in seven of nine. Three of the patients with galactorrhea and comparable 24-h mean prolactin concentrations (58.3, 59.7, and 64.3 ng/ml) showed similar prolactin secretory patterns despite different etiologic mechanisms. Evaluation of the secretory patterns of luteinizing hormone (LH) in these patients showed loss of normal pulsatile LH release and a low 24-h mean LH concentration in the patient with the pituitary tumor, while the two patients without clinically demonstrable pituitary tumors ("post-pill" galactorrhea and "idiopathic" galactorrhea) showed normal LH secretory patterns and 24-h mean LH concentrations. The 24-h mean cortisol concentrations and secretory patterns were normal in five of the seven patients who had these parameters measured. The patient with the hypothalamic tumor had a low 24-h mean cortisol concentration and production rate and absent response to metyrapone. The patient with "idiopathic" galactorrhea had an elevated 24-h mean cortisol concentration but normal cortisol production rate and urinary 17-hydroxycorticoid excretion. Growth hormone secretion was abnormal in four of the patients (one with the hypothalamic tumor and three with pituitary tumors). Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) administration in four patients resulted in normal TSH release in two patients (one of whom developed galactorrhea after the test), an absent response in the patient with the hypothalamic tumor, and a blunted response in one of the women with a pituitary tumor. The two men had low 24-h mean plasma testosterone concentrations (69 and 30 ng/100 ml) and symptoms of impotence and loss of libido. Five of the women (four with pituitary tumors and one with Chiari-Frommel syndrome) had either low 24-h mean LH concentrations, abnormal LH secretory patterns, or both. These data indicate that patients with hyperprolactinemia encompassing a varied etiological range frequently show loss of the normal sleep-associated increase in prolactin secretion as well as abnormalities in the regulation of the other hypothalamic pituitary-regulated hormones. The finding that the abnormalities in LH, growth hormone, thyrotropin, and cortisol (adrenocorticotrophic) secretion were almost uniformly confined to the patients with the clinically demonstrable hypothalamic or pituitary tumors suggests that the size of the lesion is the critical factor.