7173 Department of Kinesiology and Public Health; Center for Health Research, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA.
6066 Dignity Health French Hospital Medical Center Breastfeeding Center, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA.
J Hum Lact. 2021 May;37(2):403-413. doi: 10.1177/0890334420931397. Epub 2020 Jun 2.
Mothers with anatomic variability (e.g., shorter, wider nipples; denser areolas) may experience breastfeeding challenges disproportionately.
To examine whether variations in breast anatomy are associated with risk for early breastfeeding challenges.
Participants included mothers < 6 weeks postpartum. Nipple base width, nipple length, and areolar density were measured on the right and left breast separately. Experiences with early breastfeeding challenges were determined through a combination of maternal report and clinical assessment.
Participants ( = 119) had an average nipple diameter of 23.4 ( = 3.0) mm for left nipples and 23.5 ( = 3.0) mm for right nipples (range = 10-34 mm). Average nipple length was 8.5 ( = 3.2) mm for left breasts and 9.1 ( = 3.2) mm for right breasts (range = 5-20 mm); 35% of participants had dense areolas on the left breast and 36% had dense areolas on the right breast. The combination of wider and longer nipples was associated with greater risk for difficulties with latch; the combination of wider nipples and denser areolas was associated with greater risk for sore nipples. For participants with more dense areolas, shorter and wider nipples were associated with greater risk for low milk supply and slow infant weight gain. For participants with less dense areolas, longer and wider nipples were associated with greater risk for low milk supply and slow infant weight gain.
Further research is needed to understand how measures of breast anatomy can be used to guide targeted intervention efforts.
解剖结构存在差异（例如，乳头较短、较宽；乳晕较致密）的母亲可能会面临不成比例的母乳喂养挑战。
检验乳房解剖结构的差异是否与早期母乳喂养挑战的风险相关。
研究对象为产后<6 周的母亲。分别测量右、左乳房的乳头基底部宽度、乳头长度和乳晕密度。通过母亲报告和临床评估相结合的方式来确定早期母乳喂养挑战的经历。
参与者的左侧乳头直径平均为 23.4（ = 3.0）mm，右侧乳头直径平均为 23.5（ = 3.0）mm（范围为 10-34mm）。左侧乳头长度平均为 8.5（ = 3.2）mm，右侧乳头长度平均为 9.1（ = 3.2）mm（范围为 5-20mm）；35%的参与者左侧乳晕致密，36%的参与者右侧乳晕致密。宽而长的乳头组合与含接困难的风险增加相关；宽乳头和致密乳晕的组合与乳头疼痛的风险增加相关。对于乳晕较致密的参与者，较短、较宽的乳头与低奶量和婴儿体重增长缓慢的风险增加相关。对于乳晕较不致密的参与者，较长、较宽的乳头与低奶量和婴儿体重增长缓慢的风险增加相关。
需要进一步研究来了解如何利用乳房解剖结构的测量来指导有针对性的干预措施。
