Validity of an ion selective electrode for measuring human milk sodium and potassium ion levels at point-of-care in lactating mothers with inflammatory breast conditions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Elevated human milk sodium (Na+) levels and Na+ to potassium (K+) ratios are commonly used in research to define breast inflammation in lactating mothers. Portable Na+ and K+ ion selective electrode probes (ISEPs) allow for immediate point-of-care testing by clinicians, potentially accelerating diagnosis, and treatment of inflammatory conditions of the lactating breast (ICLB). We determined validity of ISEPs compared to the reference method inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) in mothers with ICLB, and acceptability of ISEP point-of-care testing of mothers tested with clinical ICLB symptoms.

Methods

Human milk samples were collected from 43 mothers with ICLB, between December 2021 and September 2022. Mothers were recruited from priv

SUBMITTER: Heron E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12482321 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature