Hypogalactia

Hypogalactia (from Greek hypo- below and gala- milk), reduced functional capacity of the mammary glands. Some authors (Bunge and others) believed that with the development of culture, there is a constant decrease in the lactational capacity of women due to hereditary hypoplasia and functional weakness of the glands; this opinion has long been refuted. Constitutional hypogalactia, in which the glandular parenchyma of the breasts is poorly developed and connective and adipose tissue predominates, is observed significantly less frequently in the USSR than in the West: thus, while in Germany, according to Engel and Cahn, hypogalactia is observed in 50% of all mothers, in the USSR, according to Maslov's data from Leningrad, it is observed in 26%, and according to Gershenzon's data from Odessa-only in 18-20% of all mothers. Hypogalactia most often occurs in two forms: 1) insufficient secretion in the initial period after the birth of the child and 2) early reduction in the amount of milk in the further course of lactation. In cases of primary hypogalactia, it must be remembered that milk (especially in primiparas) arrives harmlessly only by the end of the first week and that sometimes it takes several weeks before sufficient milk appears with persistent and careful application of the child. Enhancement of lactation in such cases is achieved by more frequent application of the child (6-7-8 times) simultaneously to both breasts or, if one's own child sucks weakly, by applying a strong nursing child from another woman for several days. Secondary hypogalactia most often results from improper feeding technique and occurs in cases where the mother feeds irregularly or too frequently, when the child, due to weakness or lack of appetite, does not empty the breast sufficiently, and the mother does not express the remaining milk, i.e., in all cases where for one reason or another milk stagnates in the breast. The only means for maintaining sufficient lactation is proper application of the child, observing large intervals between feedings, and ensuring complete emptying of the breast after each feeding (remaining milk should be pumped out with a breast pump or expressed by hand). Neither abundant nutrition of the mother nor the consumption of beer and other beverages promotes an increase in milk volume. The advertised "galactagogues" (sanatogen, somatose, lactagol, maltotropone, etc.) do not enhance the secretory activity of the glands, but sometimes act on the nervous mother through suggestion, strengthening her patience and faith that the amount of milk will increase. Positive results obtained by some authors in animals from injecting placental extract to increase lactation give hope that perhaps in the application of preparations of internal secretion organs, a real means for stimulating the function of the mammary gland may be found. Hypogalactia often occurs in connection with a new pregnancy. In some women with moderate lactational capacity, temporary hypogalactia occurs during menstruation.