Severity of mastitis symptoms as a predictor of C-reactive protein in milk and blood during lactation.

Objective: To investigate the presence of C-reactive protein (CRP) in breast milk and any relationship between changes in CRP in breast milk and blood, and the severity of systemic and breast symptoms experienced during mastitis.

Methods: Mothers (n = 26) were followed prospectively from day 5 postpartum to the end of their lactation. Milk from each breast, blood, 24-hour urine samples and data on breast and systemic pathologies were collected at reference intervals during the first 3 months postpartum, daily during the occurrence of any breast inflammation and at 7 days after resolution of symptoms.