Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
Published on: March 12, 2020
Bloody nipple discharge in an infant and a proposed diagnostic approach
Victoria M Kelly1, Khuram Arif, Shawn Ralston
1Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico College of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. vmkelly@salud.unm.edu
Insights
Bloody nipple discharge in infants is rare and usually benign. This case highlights a 4-month-old boy with spontaneous resolution, suggesting a conservative approach for infant nipple discharge.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Infant Health
Background:
- Bloody nipple discharge in infants is uncommon.
- It is often associated with benign mammary duct ectasia.
- Concerns arise due to its association with adult breast carcinoma.
Observation:
- A 4-month-old male infant presented with bilateral bloody nipple discharge.
- The condition resolved spontaneously by 6 months of age.
- No specific treatment was administered.
Findings:
- The infant's bloody nipple discharge was a self-limiting condition.
- Benign mammary duct ectasia is the likely cause in infants.
- The presentation mimicked more serious conditions but proved benign.
Implications:
- A conservative management strategy is recommended for infant bloody nipple discharge.
- Avoidance of unnecessary investigations and treatments is crucial.
- This case informs the evaluation and management of neonatal breast issues.
Abstract:
Bloody nipple discharge is a rare finding in infants and is associated most often with benign mammary duct ectasia. The rarity of this symptom in infants and its association with breast carcinoma in adults can lead to unnecessary investigation and treatment. Here we describe a 4-month-old boy with bilateral bloody nipple discharge that resolved spontaneously without treatment by 6 months of age. Furthermore, we propose a strategic method for the evaluation of such infants.
