MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Supernumerary nipples

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Supernumerary nipples

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Considerations	Common Causes Home Care Call your health care provider if What to expect at your health care provider's office

Illustrations

Supernumerary nipple

Supernumerary nipples

Alternative names Return to top

Polymastia; Polythelia; Accessory nipples

Definition Return to top

This condition is the presence of additional nipples.

Considerations Return to top

Supernumerary nipples are a fairly common occurrence, generally unrelated to other conditions or syndromes. They usually occur in a line below the existing nipple and are often not recognized as extra nipples, because they are usually small and not well formed.

Common Causes Return to top

Variation of normal
Hay-Wells syndrome (very rare)
Ruvalcaba-Myhre syndrome (very rare)

Home Care Return to top

Usually no treatment is needed. The extra nipples DO NOT develop into breasts at puberty.

Call your health care provider if Return to top

You notice supernumerary nipples on your infant.
There are other symptoms present.

What to expect at your health care provider's office Return to top

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Documenting supernumerary nipples usually includes simply noting that the infant had extra nipples (also how many and where on the chest they were located).

After seeing your health care provider:
Most often, this is simply a variation of normal. However, if a disorder was diagnosed related to the extra nipples, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.

Update Date: 5/8/2004

Updated by: Katrina McPherson, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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