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Introduction:
Breastfeeding is a recognized preferred method of infant feeding; however, for many women, difficulties in breastfeeding result in termination before the recommended period of time. Acupuncture is suggested to be a promising option to treat lactation insufficiency and enhance the production of maternal milk.
Main Issue:
We have reported the case of a woman with lactation insufficiency due to Caesarean section and congenital unilateral invaginated nipple. Milk production started on the 3rd day following delivery. The newborn was not provided with any food or fluids other than mother’s milk. At 5 days of life, the newborn required long feeding periods and lost 4% of his birth weight, with the participant reporting lactation insufficiency described by the perception of inadequate milk production.
Management:
Despite the implementation of conventional measures to improve lactation, the difficulties in breastfeeding persisted. Acupuncture was tried on Day 6 of life, and enhanced milk production was observed, which could be measured as the volume of residual milk extracted using the breast pump each time after the newborn achieved satiety. After acupuncture treatment there was an augmentation of maternal milk production from both breasts and successful lactation.
Conclusion:
This case study provides information that might be useful for prospective investigation of acupuncture’s efficacy in women with lactation insufficiency.
The release of DNA by cells during extracellular trap (ET) formation is a defense function of neutrophils and monocytes. Neutrophil ET (NET) formation in term infants is reduced compared to adults. Objective: The aim was to quantify NET and monocyte ET (MET) release and the respective key enzymes myeloperoxidase (MPO) and neutrophil elastase (NE) in preterm infants. In this prospective explorative study, ET induction was stimulated by N-formylmethionine-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) in the cord blood of preterm infants (n = 55, 23–36 weeks) compared to term infants and adults. METs were quantified by microscopy, and NETs by microscopy and flow cytometry. We also determined the MPO levels within NETs and the intracellular concentrations of NE and MPO in neutrophils. The percentage of neutrophils releasing ET was significantly reduced for preterm infants compared to adults for all stimulants, and with a 68% further reduction for PMA compared to term infants (p = 0.0141). The NET area was not reduced except for when fMLP was administered. The amount of MPO in NET-producing cells was reduced in preterm infants compared to term infants. For preterm infants, but not term infants, the percentage of monocytes releasing ETs was significantly reduced compared to healthy adults for LTA and LPS stimulation. Conclusion: In preterm infants, ETs are measurable parts of the innate immune system, but are released in a reduced percentage of cells compared to adults.