Bloody nipple discharge in an infant – a stressful presentation with a benign cause
Keywords:
bloody nipple discharge, infant, mammary ductal ectasiaAbstract
Bloody nipple discharge (BND) in infancy is rare, most commonly associated with mammary duct ectasia. The occurrence of BND can be particularly distressing, for both parents and pediatricians, due to its association with breast carcinoma in adults. We report a case of a ten-month-old girl who exhibited intermittent left-sided BND for a duration of six weeks. Coagulation and hormonal tests were within the age-appropriate reference ranges, and ultrasound imaging was normal. The discharge resolved spontaneously. In such cases, it is crucial to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures or treatments, while providing reassurance to parents and addressing any misconceptions associated with this condition.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Inês Pereira Soares, Madalena Torrado Malato, Daniela Ramos
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