Diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging of the human lactating breast

Nienke Bosschaart*, Johanna R. de Wolf, Sjoukje M. Schoustra, Miriam van der Hoek, Anaïs Leproux, Ola Abdalsalam, Wen-Pin Chen, Christine E. McLaren, Bruce J. Tromberg, Thomas D. O'Sullivan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

102 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in public health, but relatively few imaging and sensing technologies are employed to study human lactation physiology. As a consequence, many breastfeeding problems are not well understood. We hypothesize that diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging (DOSI) can potentially reveal important physiological parameters that help to define milk synthesis and secretion: glandular tissue content, hemodynamics and milk ejection. The aim of this study is to investigate the sensitivity of DOSI to these physiological parameters in (i) a case study (1 subject) on mammary involution of the lactating breast to its pre-pregnant state and (ii) a pilot study during milk extraction with a breast pump (4 lactating subjects, 5 non-lactating subjects). For the case study, the measured changes in the DOSI parameters (water, lipid, hemoglobin concentration) were consistent with the gradual replacement of fibro-glandular tissue by adipose tissue and vascular regression during mammary involution. For the pilot study, the measured changes in the DOSI parameters correlated with the extracted milk volume and occurrence of the milk ejection reflex. In conclusion, DOSI is sensitive to human lactation physiology, which can potentially aid to obtaining an in-depth understanding on the origin and treatment of breastfeeding problems.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDiffuse Optical Spectroscopy and Imaging VIII
EditorsDavide Contini, Yoko Hoshi, Thomas D. O'Sullivan
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510647060
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
EventDiffuse Optical Spectroscopy and Imaging VIII 2021 - Virtual, Online, Germany
Duration: 20 Jun 202124 Jun 2021

Publication series

NameProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume11920
ISSN (Print)1605-7422

Conference

ConferenceDiffuse Optical Spectroscopy and Imaging VIII 2021
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityVirtual, Online
Period20/06/2124/06/21

Keywords

  • 22/2 OA procedure

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging of the human lactating breast'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
  • Diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging of the human lactating breast

    Bosschaart, N., de Wolf, J. R., Schoustra, S. M., van der Hoek, M., Leproux, A., Abdalsalam, O., Chen, W.-P., McLaren, C. E., Tromberg, B. J. & O’Sullivan, T. D., 9 Dec 2021, European Conferences on Biomedical Optics, ECBO 2021. The Optical Society, ETu3C.1

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

Cite this