I would suggest giving them a "general rule" from the radiologists' 
own professional organization:  It is not necessary to stop 
breastfeeding at all after receiving iodinated contrast media or 
gadolinium contrast agents.

The American College of Radiology (ACR) says,

"Because of the very small percentage of iodinated contrast medium 
that is excreted into the breast milk and absorbed by the infant's 
gut, we believe that the available data suggest that it is safe for 
the mother and infant to continue breastfeeding after receiving such 
an agent."

They stop short of making an official recommendation but the only 
possible concerns they can come up with are direct toxicity and 
allergic sensitization or reaction, "which are theoretical concerns 
but have not been reported."

They emphasize that if the *mother* is concerned about potential ill 
effects to her baby, she "may" abstain from breastfeeding for 24 
hours.  The wording makes it very clear that *they* do not have 
concerns and that this would be an unnecessary step for the mother to 
take, but acknowledge that some mothers may want to err on the side 
of being extremely cautious.

If zero cessation is reasonable, and 24 hours is abundantly 
conservative, 48 hours is downright ridiculous!

I had an MRI myself when my youngest nursling was about 8 months old. 
The radiology department actually gave me a copy of the ACR statement 
to explain why they recommended no cessation of breastfeeding at all.

ACR document here:
http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd/Rad/CSIfaq/Breastfeeding.pdf

This link and more information is available on Kellymom's website, a 
great one-stop resource for many breastfeeding issues.  I love how 
she collects the research and links it up so you can quickly find 
documentation for things. 
http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/radioisotopes.html

Margaret
LLLL
Longmont, CO


>Is there a definitive answer to a mother regarding a CT scan using Optiray 
>as a contrast medium?     I have had several cases recently  with new moms
>requiring CT scans to rule out pulmonary emboli on day 2  postpartum.
>
>Our hospital radiologist says 48 hours of interruption of  breastfeeding. 
>Last week he gave in and said he would allow breastfeeding  in 24 
>hrs.   My info
>says Optiray is not a problem.
>
>Is there a general rule I can give moms and staff?
>
>            Loretta  Haycook, RN, IBCLC
>            Jacksonville,  FL

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