IBCLC Maternal and Infant Pathology 3

Question 1

A breastfeeding mother is diagnosed with a breast abscess. What is the appropriate management regarding breastfeeding?

Accepted Answer

Continue breastfeeding on the unaffected breast and pump the affected breast unless the incision is too close to the areola

Answer

Stop breastfeeding immediately on both breasts

Answer

Stop breastfeeding permanently

Answer

Breastfeed only on the affected breast to promote drainage

Question 2

What is a galactocele and how does it typically present?

Accepted Answer

A milk-filled cystic lesion that presents as a smooth, painless, mobile breast mass

Answer

A malignant tumor of the breast

Answer

A blocked Montgomery tubercle

Answer

An inflammatory response to milk stasis

Question 3

A mother with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) reports low milk supply. What is the hormonal basis for lactation difficulties in PCOS?

Accepted Answer

Elevated androgens and insulin resistance can impair mammary gland development and prolactin receptor function

Answer

PCOS has no effect on lactation

Answer

PCOS causes excessive milk production

Answer

Only women with PCOS and diabetes experience lactation issues

Question 4

An infant diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism is breastfeeding. What is an important consideration for the IBCLC?

Accepted Answer

The infant may have poor feeding and lethargy due to decreased metabolism; breastfeeding should continue with additional feeding support

Answer

Breastfeeding is contraindicated

Answer

Thyroid medication makes breast milk harmful

Answer

Breastfeeding will cure the hypothyroidism

Question 5

A mother is diagnosed with postpartum thyroiditis at 3 months postpartum, in the hyperthyroid phase. How might this affect breastfeeding?

Accepted Answer

Hyperthyroidism may cause increased milk supply and faster let-down; breastfeeding can safely continue

Answer

She must stop breastfeeding

Answer

Thyroid hormones in the milk will harm the infant

Answer

Postpartum thyroiditis does not affect lactation

Question 6

What is the significance of insufficient glandular tissue (IGT) and how can it be identified?

Accepted Answer

IGT is characterized by widely spaced, tubular-shaped breasts with minimal growth during pregnancy, and may result in primary lactation insufficiency

Answer

IGT only affects women with very small breasts

Answer

IGT can be diagnosed by breast size alone

Answer

All women with IGT are unable to produce any milk