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'Witch's milk'. Galactorrhea in the newborn.
American Journal of Diseases of Children (1960)
|March 1, 1986
Summary
Witch's milk, or galactorrhea, is common in newborns, affecting 4.6% of infants studied. This condition is linked to larger breast nodules and can persist up to two months of age in healthy babies.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Endocrinology
Background:
- Galactorrhea, commonly termed "witch's milk," is a physiological phenomenon observed in neonates.
- Previous understanding of its prevalence and clinical associations in newborns is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of galactorrhea in a cohort of newborn infants.
- To investigate the association between galactorrhea and breast nodule size in neonates.
- To assess the persistence of galactorrhea in infants up to two months of age.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 984 examinations of 640 infants over five months.
- Infants were assessed at birth, nursery discharge, and at two-week and two-month well-baby visits.
- Examinations focused on breast nodule size and the presence of galactorrhea.
Main Results:
- Galactorrhea was observed in 4.6% of examinations (38 infants).
- "Witch's milk" was present across all studied ages, including 1.8% at two months.
- Infants with galactorrhea exhibited significantly larger breast nodules compared to those without; no infants were hypothyroid.
Conclusions:
- Galactorrhea is a common finding in normal newborns.
- The presence of galactorrhea is associated with larger breast nodules.
- Galactorrhea can persist in healthy infants until two months of age.