Bloody Nipple Discharge As A Benign, Self-Limiting Disorder in Young Children: A Systematic Review Including Two Related Case Reports

Abstract

Background/purpose: Bloody nipple discharge (BND) is rare, distressing for parents, and presents a challenge for physicians.

Methods: We used PubMed to search for cases of BND that were diagnosed before adolescence and added data from two of our cases.

Results: The analyzed cohort comprised 46 patients (28 boys and 18 girls; mean [SD] age, 12.5 +/- 13.3 months; range, 20 days to 4 years). The mean time for spontaneous resolution was 2.8 +/- 2.4 months (range, 1 week to 8 months) after onset of BND without any intervention. The diagnosis was mammary ductal ectasia (MDE) in 15 patients, gynecomastia with MDE in two patients, hemorrhagic cysts in two patients, and gynecomastia alone in one patient. The majority (89.3%) of patients <1 year old were managed conservatively, but half of them aged >1 year (50.0%) underwent surgery. Surgery was performed more often in patients in whom a mass had been identified.

Conclusions: Age and findings at physical examination affect selection of treatment, but not sex. We found no reported cases of malignancy. Symptoms in children who are managed conservatively resolve within 10 months. Children with BND should be conservatively managed to avoid the risk of developing breast deformities before adolescence. (c) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.