A mother who is 3 days postpartum had to have a CT scan today.  The  contrast 
agent used was Ultravista.  The radiologist gave the mother an  instruction 
sheet saying that since she had a CT scan and she was breastfeeding  she would 
have to pump and dump for 24 hours.
 
I called down to first find out what the contrast agent was and then asking  
for more information.  I got no help.  This is not covered in Tom's  book.  He 
has a reference page in the appendix but not guidelines on  restrictions to 
breastfeeding.
So I went on line and did a search and found the agent.  According to  what I 
found this agent is only administrated IV.  It works rapidly between  5 
seconds to up to 120 seconds.  It also rapidly leaves the body in 10 - 15  minutes. 
 Under "breastfeeding" they state that there is limited  information but no 
untoward affects have been reported by breastfeeding mothers  but lactating 
women should limit risk to their babies.
 
When I called the department back, I got no where and it appears that the  24 
hours is a time that was just pulled out of the air as something that sounds  
"safe."
 
I want to contact this radiologist and get this changed for the future but  I 
want to come armed with all the information I can find on this and other CT  
scan agents.  Can anyone help me?  Is Tom on our list right now?
Thanks for any and all help.
Ann Perry, RN IBCLC
Boston, MA

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