Scabies Infection While Expressing Human Milk for Critically Ill Infants: Is It Safe?

Background

Scabies infections of the breast in lactating individuals are not well described, especially how maternal infection can impact human milk feeding of hospitalized infants in the intensive care setting.

Methods

This case report presents a critically ill female infant with a complex surgical history whose mother had an active scabies infection around the breast postpartum and wished to provide expressed human milk.

Results

In this case report, human milk was recommended despite maternal scabies infection.

Conclusion

Given the limited information that is known about the risk of scabies transmission in human milk for critically ill infants, this case adds to the knowledge base and supports the call for further research.