Hello,
My name is Veronica Garea. I am a Nuclear Engineer by training (ME, PhD) and a  volunteer peer breastfeeding counselor in Bariloche, Argentina. I have re-subscribed to Lactnet after a two-year absence and have been a most active lurker.

Tc Mebrofenin is one of the radiopharmaceuticals produced with the radioisotope Tc. Different purposes require different radiopharmaceuticals. Tc99m (the isotope used in nuclear medicine) has a half life of 6 hours. The International Radiation Protection Commission (international organization that establishes radiation protection guidelines for medicine, nuclear industry and others) states the following (see Nuclear Medicine and Pregnancy, in www.icrp.org):
--begin quote---------------------
A number of radionuclides are excreted in breast milk. It is recommended that breast feeding is suspended as follows:
[...]
12 h after 131I hippurate and all 99mTc compounds except as below
4 h after 99mTc red cells, DTPA, and phosphonates
--end quote-------------------------

Therefore, suggesting pumping for 12 hours is in accordance with ICRP guidelines. Storing milk and using after at least 12 hours is also reasonable (since half life is 6 hours, in 12 hours the Tc99m has practically dissapeared from the milk).

Regards,

Veronica Garea
Grupo de Apoyo a la Lactancia Materna de Bariloche

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