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Updated: Jun 25, 2025
A Method for Targeted 16S Sequencing of Human Milk Samples
Published on: March 23, 2018
Pink colored breast milk! Serratia marcescens infection, series of 4 cases
Norma C Ayuzo-Del-Valle1, Ximena Flores-Osorio1
1Instituto de Pediatría, Hospital Zambrano Hellio, Tecnologico de Monterrey, San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, México.
Background:
Pink coloration of breast milk is uncommon and it´s associated with colonization by Serratia marcescens, which is most frequently isolated in intensive care settings. Misinterpretation of the pink coloration may lead to premature cessation of breastfeeding. The objective is to present four cases of pink discoloration.
Methods:
Two retrospective and two prospective cases of pink discoloration in breast milk are described, which were reported to the lead author.
Results:
Four healthy mother-infant pairs with documented pink discoloration are presented. S. marcescens was isolated from breast milk samples. All four infants were asymptomatic and underwent enterobacteria cultures. The mothers received outpatient antibiotic treatment, and two infants received treatment as well. Subsequent cultures yielded negative results, and the pink discoloration ceased. All mothers successfully resumed breastfeeding.
Conclusions:
There are very few reported cases of pink breast milk in the global literature. Colonization by S. marcescens is not an indication for discontinuation of breastfeeding.
