Breast Nodule in Premature Infant

Abstract

LITTLE REFERENCE has been made to the size of the breast of the newborn except that hyperplasia, engorgement, and milk secretion is physiologic, and that hyperplasia is seen with equal frequency in mature infants of both sexes. It also has been stated that breast development is rarely seen in premature infants, but a detailed study of the latter point has not been presented.* 1 In this study, the relationship between the size of the breast nodule and the birth weight and gestation was examined. The data are interpreted to indicate that the presence and size of the breast nodule are, in a general way, correlated with the maturity of the premature infant. MethodsData were obtained in 196 consecutive premature infants who were born from 1960 through 1962. One hundred and sixteen were white, and the remainder nonwhite, primarily Negro. The observers who evaluated the breast nodules were experienced in this technique. The size of the breast nodule was estimated by pinching the breast and noting the approximate amount of firm subcutaneous tissue. The appearance of the areola was not considered. Examinations were made at birth and weekly intervals until discharge. The breast nodules were graded according to size as follows :

Gender Difference in Breast Tissue Size in Infancy: Correlation with Serum Estradiol

“…This finding was not associated with differences in body weight or amount of subcutaneous fat tissue. Most previous studies have shown no gender difference in the occurrence or size of breast tissue in newborn infants (2)(3)(4)11). At later ages, from 1-2 mo up to 1 y, some have reported palpable breast tissue to be more frequent in girls than in boys (4,6) whereas other studies could not reproduce a gender difference (2,3).…”