Ct Scan and Breastfeeding

Hi J.:

I am an LC working in a hospital-based setting. Questions about contrast agents and BF come up ALL THE TIME! I have cut and pasted a "conversation" directly from Dr. Thomas Hale's website regarding Ultravist. Hopefully the link within the statements will work! Dr. Hale wrote Medications and Mothers' Milk... the "bible" of LC's everywhere.

Another resource to tuck into your back pocket is: Breastfeeding Resources in Stratford, CT. All IBCLC and many MD's, including Dr. Christina Smillie. They could certainly answer a BF question over the phone: ###-###-####. Good luck!

Read on...

(quote) Apologies if this is repeating earlier information, I do not have easy access to your recent publication and the radiocontrast agent table above will not open. I have a mother who has a 8 week old and has to have a whole body CT with Ultravist radioactive contrast and has been advised to express and discard for 48 hours. Is this excessive and is this drug considered an iodinated contrast media as per the available research? Thank you for your time.

(quote) Yes, its excessive and incorrect. Ultravist is just another iodinated contrast agent. Go to my website : http://neonatal.ama.ttuhsc.edu/lact/ and the PDF from the American College of Radiology is about mid page. Click on this link and it should open. It clearly states that iodinated contrast agents are no problem for a breastfeeding mother.

Tom Hale Ph.d.

Hi J.,

I too am breastfeeding my toddler. I was recommended to to get a CTSCAN for a neck injury. When I got to the radiologist she advised against it; she stated that MRI's were better in cases where one is breastfeeding as there is no radiation (magnetic resonance vs. x-rays or radiation) and I too was resolved to forgo the ct scan ( it was not absolutely necessary; helpful for the doctor but not entirely needed) and I know there are fewer risks altogether w/ MRI's & my son would have difficulty w/o nursing for the amount of time suggested. I hope this helps somehow.

I had this done a month and half ago. Definately pump your heart out and only give your baby expressed milk and pump and dump your milk for those 3 days. I talked it over with my doctor and my pedi they both suggested atleast 48 hours. The dye maded my body feel weird and when I pumped and dumped the milk was green tinted. I just didnt feel safe giving it to my daughter.

Dear J.,

You've gotten some wonderful advice here already. I just wanted to mention that I had an MRI about a year ago, when I too had a nursing toddler. I was advised to "pump and dump," but like you, I was concerned that that would be traumatic for my son. I asked the radiologist if it would be possible to get an MRI without contrast. There was a whole lot of hemming and hawing at that point, but the upshot was that I COULD -- it just wouldn't be quite as precise. An MRI is obviously different from a CT scan, but I recommend asking the same question.

Best of luck, and congratulations on being a wonderful nursing mom!

Mira

Hi, J..

I had to have a CT Scan when my daughter was 6 months old. My OB/GYN and Pediatrician both told me the same thing. The reason for it is that they use a shellfish base and other items in the contrast. The doctors consider it to be a schedule C drug. Which means they really have no idea what it will do to a nursing baby. You really do not want to take the chance that your little one is allergic to the items in that mixture. There is also a chance that you may have an allergic reaction to the mixture (which was my case) and you do not want the baby to get the heighted antibody level that occurs within you system.

My suggestion is to see if you can pump and store prior to the procedure. Try mixing in a bottle during breastfeeding. For example, let him feed on one side and give him a bottle for the remainder of the feeding. This will allow you to store some breastmilk while you are unable to nurse him. If you do not want to risk your milk supply, pump and dump for the 72 hour period. Try to keep yourself on the schedule that the two of you have for breastfeeding.

Believe me, that 72 hour period was hard. However, it's better to go through it know than to have a larger problem later.

Please keep me informed as to how you make out. I will say some prayers for you.

Good luck.

S. D

I had a CT scan while bf'ing but I can't remember what they gave me as it was 1+ yrs ago. I spoke to the lactation consultant at the hopital where they did the procedure and she intervened for me as I did not agree with halting bf'ing. Perhaps you might try that?

if your voice will eventually come back on its' own, then there's no need for the scan. try buying aloe juice at whole foods. make sure that it is flavored (not apple though). drink a bit throughout the day. you can even put it in your water. it won't hurt the baby. may create loose stools for the both of you though.
also, no more then about 2 oz / day because you are nursing and you don't want the baby to have diarrhea (sp?)
good luck!

your pediatrician should have dr hales book on hand and should be able to look it up for you. best of luck, D.