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Hormonal effects in newborns
Newborn breast swelling; Physiologic leukorrhea
Hormonal effects in newborns occur because in the womb babies are exposed to many chemicals (hormones) that are in the mother's bloodstream. After birth, the infants are no longer exposed to these hormones. This exposure may cause temporary conditions in a newborn.
Information
Hormones from the mother (maternal hormones) are some of the chemicals that pass through the placenta into the baby's blood during pregnancy. These hormones can affect the baby.
For example, pregnant women produce high levels of the hormone estrogen. This causes breast enlargement in the mother. By the third day after birth, breast swelling may also be seen in newborn boys and girls. Such newborn breast swelling does not last, but it is a common concern among new parents.
Breast enlargement
Premenstrual swelling and tenderness of both breasts occurs during the second half of the menstrual cycle.
The breast swelling should go away by the second week after birth as the hormones leave the newborn's body. DO NOT squeeze or massage the newborn's breasts because this can cause an infection under the skin ( abscess ).
Abscess
An abscess is a collection of pus in any part of the body. In most cases, the area around an abscess is swollen and inflamed.
Hormones from the mother may also cause some fluid to leak from the infant's nipples. This is called witch's milk. It is common and most often goes away within 2 weeks.
Newborn girls may also have temporary changes in the vaginal area.
- The skin tissue around the vaginal area, called the labia, may look puffy as a result of estrogen exposure.
- There may be a white fluid (discharge) from the vagina. This is called physiologic leukorrhea.
- There may also be a small amount of bleeding from the vagina.
These changes are common and should slowly go away over the first 2 months of life.
References
Rennie JM. Examination of the newborn. In: Rennie J, ed. Rennie and Roberton's Textbook of Neonatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2012:chap 14.
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Hormonal effects in newborns - illustration
Under the influence of maternal hormones during pregnancy a newborn may exhibit signs of hormone exposure after birth, such as enlarged breasts. In addition to the breast enlargement, there may be some discharge from the nipples. This too is common and should be of no concern, disappearing within 2 weeks. The discharge is called witch's milk.
Hormonal effects in newborns
illustration
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Hormonal effects in newborns - illustration
Under the influence of maternal hormones during pregnancy a newborn may exhibit signs of hormone exposure after birth, such as enlarged breasts. In addition to the breast enlargement, there may be some discharge from the nipples. This too is common and should be of no concern, disappearing within 2 weeks. The discharge is called witch's milk.
Hormonal effects in newborns
illustration
Review Date: 2/5/2015
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
