Gadolinium in Breast Milk
Can gadolinium be given to lactating women?
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Intravenous gadolinium contrast appears in breast milk, but only a tiny fraction (0.01%-0.04%) of the total administered dose is excreted in the first 24 hours. Peak excretion occurs at about 50 minutes. Additionally, less than 1% of orally ingested contrast is absorbed by the infant. Hence the dose entering the infant's circulation is extremely small (1/1,000,000 of the maternal dose) and the potential toxic effects are thought to be miniscule.
Probably little reason exists to restrict breast-feeding after maternal gadolinium administration. Nevertheless, out of an abundance of safety, many centers recommended suspending breast feeding for 24 hours after a gadolinium-enhanced MR study.
References
ACR Committee on Drugs and Contrast Agents. ACR Manual on Contrast Agents, 2023. American College of Radiology, 2022.
Schmeidl U, Maravilla KR, Gerlach R, et al. Excretion of gadopentetate dimeglumine in human breast milk, AJR Am J Roentgenol 1990; 154:1305-6.
Sundgren PC, Leander P. Is administration of gadolinium-based contrast media to pregnant women and small children justified? J Magn Reson Imaging 2011: 34:750-757.
Webb JAW. Thomsen HS, Morcos SK, et al. The use of iodinated and gadolinium media during pregnancy and lactation. Eur Radiol 2005; 15:1234-1240.
ACR Committee on Drugs and Contrast Agents. ACR Manual on Contrast Agents, 2023. American College of Radiology, 2022.
Schmeidl U, Maravilla KR, Gerlach R, et al. Excretion of gadopentetate dimeglumine in human breast milk, AJR Am J Roentgenol 1990; 154:1305-6.
Sundgren PC, Leander P. Is administration of gadolinium-based contrast media to pregnant women and small children justified? J Magn Reson Imaging 2011: 34:750-757.
Webb JAW. Thomsen HS, Morcos SK, et al. The use of iodinated and gadolinium media during pregnancy and lactation. Eur Radiol 2005; 15:1234-1240.
Related Questions
Can gadolinium be given to pregnant women?
Can gadolinium be given to pregnant women?