[Causes of lactation inhibition in the early puerperium (author's transl)].

In a retrospective study in 213 puerperal women, who had delivered at the 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Vienna before 1980, the individual cause for the primary or secondary inhibition of lactation with drugs in the early puerperium was evaluated. In 77.4% the lactation was carried out for maternal, in 22,6% for neonatal indications. Concerning the maternal causes in 23,9% the mother did not want to breast feed, in 17,8% "too little milk" and in 12,7% anamnestic breast-feeding problem at preceding deliveries were found. Maternal diseases were diagnosed in 9,4%, breast-feeding complications, like sore nipples, breast engorgement and mastitis in 5,2%, state after mammasurgery in 2.8%, an important drug therapy in 2,3%, sunken nipples in 1,9%, and several rare causes like adoption or arrest. Concerning the neonatal reasons prematurity was predominating in 16.9%, followed by antenatal fetal death and perinatal death in 3,3% and rarer diseases of the infant with reduced sucking power in 1,9% and one malformation (0.5%). Although several maternal and neonatal conditions still require the suppression of lactation, this could be avoided in a considerable percentage by adequate medical advise and encouragement for the patient. This should be a concern of all obstetricians today.