Question
My baby is three and a half months old and has developed two pairs of supernumerary mammary glands. Is this a hereditary trait? Can it be passed down through generations from the parents’ side? What impact does it have on the baby?
Answer
The formation of supernumerary mammary glands originates from the human embryonic stage, where 6 to 8 pairs of mammary buds are present along the lines from the armpit to the inguinal region. Before birth, all but the two pairs on the chest regress. If these mammary buds do not completely regress, they can form polythelia, also known as supernumerary mammary glands. This condition can be passed down through generations and can affect both males and females. Supernumerary mammary glands usually do not disappear naturally and, in most cases, do not have serious consequences. The likelihood of malignancy is extremely low in most cases.