Intrapartum antibiotics predispose to nursing-linked yeast infection Source: Obstetrics & Gynecology 2005; 106: 19-22
Estimating whether the receipt of intrapartum antibiotics increases the risk of neonatal thrush or maternal breast infections in nursing mother-infant pairs.
Use of intrapartum antibiotics appears to raise the risk of thrush and breast candidiasis in nursing infant-mother pairs, researchers warn.
In addition to the well-recognized role of antibiotics in the development of vaginal candidiasis, there is some evidence to suggest that such treatment during the postpartum period influences nipple candidiasis, notes Mara Dinsmoor, from the Medical College of Virginia Hospital in Richmond, USA, and her team.
To investigate whether intrapartum antibiotic therapy influences the risk of neonatal thrush and maternal breast infections, they analyzed follow-up data for 435 mother-infant pairs who nursed for 1 month or longer. Among these new-mothers, 173 (39.8 percent) received intrapartum antibiotics, mostly for group A streptococci prophylaxis.
Within 1 month of delivery, thrush or breast candidiasis were detected in 46 (10.6 percent) mother-infant pairs. Both the breast and oral infection were more common in individuals exposed to antibiotics postpartum, with odds ratios of 2.1 and 1.87, respectively; however, only the former relationship reached statistical significance.
Dinsmoor and co-authors say their findings, if confirmed in larger studies, warrant "further investigation into methods to reduce the risk of postnatal yeast infections."
Posted: 13 July 2005 Leanne Wynne Midwife in charge of "Women's Business" Mildura Aboriginal Health Service Mob 0418 371862 -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
