Coach Smith here.

 

I've posted before on the devastating consequences to people who contract
Lyme Disease and are undiagnosed and/or under treated. I'm continuing to
gather resources that will help LCs and providers effectively treat
breastfeeding mothers who contract Lyme. For now, I added a section to the
"editorials" section on my web page where I'll be posting links to Lyme
resources. Here's the link to the start of the collection of Lyme links:
http://www.bflrc.com/ljs/documents/UnderOurSkinflyerfinal.pdf 

 

Relevance to public health: Lyme is the fastest-growing infectious disease
in the USA, present in 29 states, grossly under-reported, often undiagnosed
or misdiagnosed, and frequently under-treated. There is substantial
controversy surrounding the diagnosis, treatment, and prevalence of chronic
neurological Lyme. 

 

Relevance to breastfeeding and maternal-child health: The spirochete that
causes Lyme can be transmitted sexually and during pregnancy, and has been
documented to cause some miscarriages, stillbirths, and infant deaths.
There's no clear research on whether the organism persists in breastmilk
(other spirochetes are killed by human milk components). Some antibiotics
that are vital to treating Lyme in the mother and child have side-effects in
the child. I've consulted with several professionals whose clients were
being treated for Lyme during breastfeeding.

 

My personal interest: My sister nearly died from a 4-year battle with
undiagnosed Lyme. My teenage granddaughter was hospitalized for a week last
year until she was accurately diagnosed and sufficiently treated for Lyme. 

 

Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC, FILCA

Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre, Ltd.

6540 Cedarview Ct, Dayton OH 45459

ph 937-438-9458 / fax 937-438-3229

www.BFLRC.com 

 


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