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Date: | Mon, 31 Aug 1998 08:47:29 -0400 |
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I presume the mother is getting a lung scan. Thus, she will likely get
technetium 99, which has a half life of six hours more or less. Dr. Hale
says that the baby should be off the breast for up to three days, but I
disagree, because I don't think we must make sure that baby gets absolutely
*no* radioactivity. As a pediatrician, I am aware that we do radioactive
isotope studies on babies all the time, and no one gets too excited about
it.
After about 6 hours, 1/2 the dose of the technetium will be gone from the
mother. In another 6 hours 1/2 the remainder will be gone. The blood
levels will drop quickly, and the baby can nurse much earlier than days
after the dose. I would say that there is no need to stop at all. I
realize not many agree with me, but that is my approach. You want some
measure of decreased intake by the baby? Stop 6 or 12 hours. Two to three
days is too long.
Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC
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