Yafteh

Mastitis is one of the most common inflammatory conditions of breast that may occur in 10% of the breastfeeding mothers. This complication can cause chemical and physical changes in breast milk and may lead to the discontinuation of breastfeeding and weight loss and growth retardation of infant. This study aims at determination of clinical and subclinical mastitis based on chemical and physical changes in breast milk . Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study , 229 breastfeeding mothers from clinics of Khorramabad were selected using a random-clustring method and sample of their breast milk were collected.Data gathered by a questionnaire.The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Statistical analysis was done utilizing Chi-square, Mann-Whitney test, and T-test. The p value was <0.05, therefore  it was considered to be significant . Results: The results of the study, indicated that mastitis was observed in 13 (5.7% ) of the studied lactating women. The bacteriological culture results were 12 (99.6%) out of 13 positive samples growth of coagulase negative Staphylococci and 1 sample (0.4%) growth of E.Coli. There was a statistically significant difference in the median of breast milk's lactose, protein, pH, and density between two groups ( P< 0.001). Coclusion : These results indicate that mastitis has effect on chemical and physical properties of breast milk is effective, so that the fat, protein, lactose and also pH, density , freezing point of milk in mothers who have mastitis is less in comparision with healthy mothers without mastitis .