Patient's question:
The baby is three and a half months old, a boy. Today, while changing the nest, I noticed that he has grown two pairs of accessory breasts. Is it hereditary? Is it inherited from the father or the mother, perhaps over a generation? Will it cause any interference to him?Doctor's answer:
The reasons for the formation of accessory breasts are that during the embryonic period, humans develop 6 to 8 pairs of mammary gland rudiments along two lines from the armpits to the groin. Before birth, except for the two pairs in front of the chest that are specially preserved, the rest atrophy. If, due to abnormal growth and development, these mammary gland rudiments do not atrophy completely, multiple breasts may form, also known as polymastia. Accessory breasts can be inherited across generations. Both males and females can develop them again. They will never naturally disappear. Generally, if not severe, the likelihood of malignant transformation is extremely low.