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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 8/2014

01-08-2014 | Radiological Education

Radiological contrast media in the breastfeeding woman: a position paper of the Italian Society of Radiology (SIRM), the Italian Society of Paediatrics (SIP), the Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN) and the Task Force on Breastfeeding, Ministry of Health, Italy

Authors: Maria Assunta Cova, Fulvio Stacul, Roberto Quaranta, Pierpaolo Guastalla, Guglielmo Salvatori, Giuseppe Banderali, Claudio Fonda, Vincenzo David, Massimo Gregori, Antonio Alberto Zuppa, Riccardo Davanzo

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 8/2014

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Abstract

Objectives

Breastfeeding is a well-recognised investment in the health of the mother-infant dyad. Nevertheless, many professionals still advise breastfeeding mothers to temporarily discontinue breastfeeding after contrast media imaging. Therefore, we performed this review to provide health professionals with basic knowledge and skills for appropriate use of contrast media.

Methods

A joint working group of the Italian Society of Radiology (SIRM), Italian Society of Paediatrics (SIP), Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN) and Task Force on Breastfeeding, Ministry of Health, Italy prepared a review of the relevant medical literature on the safety profile of contrast media for the nursing infant/child.

Results

Breastfeeding is safe for the nursing infant of any post-conceptional age after administration of the majority of radiological contrast media to the mother; only gadolinium-based agents considered at high risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (gadopentetate dimeglumine, gadodiamide, gadoversetamide) should be avoided in the breastfeeding woman as a precaution; there is no need to temporarily discontinue breastfeeding or to express and discard breast milk following the administration of contrast media assessed as compatible with breastfeeding.

Conclusions

Breastfeeding women should receive unambiguous professional advice and clear encouragement to continue breastfeeding after imaging with the compatible contrast media.

Key Points:

• Breastfeeding is a well-known investment in the health of the mother-infant dyad.
• Breastfeeding is safe after administration of contrast media to the mother.
• There is no need to temporarily discontinue breastfeeding following administration of contrast media.
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Metadata
Title
Radiological contrast media in the breastfeeding woman: a position paper of the Italian Society of Radiology (SIRM), the Italian Society of Paediatrics (SIP), the Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN) and the Task Force on Breastfeeding, Ministry of Health, Italy
Authors
Maria Assunta Cova
Fulvio Stacul
Roberto Quaranta
Pierpaolo Guastalla
Guglielmo Salvatori
Giuseppe Banderali
Claudio Fonda
Vincenzo David
Massimo Gregori
Antonio Alberto Zuppa
Riccardo Davanzo
Publication date
01-08-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 8/2014
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-014-3198-6

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