Question

I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Positron Emission Tomography? Is Positron Emission Tomography safe for nursing mother and child? Does Positron Emission Tomography extracts into breast milk? Does Positron Emission Tomography has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Positron Emission Tomography influence milk supply or can Positron Emission Tomography decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

Positron Emission Tomography lactation summary

Positron Emission Tomography is unsafe in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Positron Emission Tomography is 5 out of 8 which is considered Unsafe as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 5 indicates that usage of Positron Emission Tomography may cause serious side effects in breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research indicates that Positron Emission Tomography may cause moderate to high side effects or may affect milk supply in lactating mother.
  • Our suggestion is to use safer alternate options rather than using Positron Emission Tomography .
  • It is recommended to evaluate the advantage of not breastfeeding while using Positron Emission Tomography Vs not using Positron Emission Tomography And continue breastfeeding.
  • While using Positron Emission Tomography Its must to monitor child for possible reactions. It is also important to understand that side effects vary largely based on age of breastfed child and time of medication in addition to dosage.
  • Score calculated using the DrLact safety Version 1.2 model, this score ranges from 0 to 8 and measures overall safety of drug in lactation. Scores are primarily calculated using publicly available case studies, research papers, other scientific journals and publically available data.

Answer by Dr. Ru: About Positron Emission Tomography usage in lactation

Radiation from a PET scan test is not higher than that from an abdominal CAT scan test. Small quantity and short half life span of radionuclides used for this test make it safe to nurse the baby shortly after the test is done. Overall, it is safe to stop nursing for a 5 to 6 of isotope half life period which is the time require for the complete disappereance of radioactivity from the body. Half life spans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Breastfeeding interruption time F-18: 110 minutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 hours (avoid contact for the first 4 hours) C-11: 20 minutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 hours N-13: 10 minutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 hour O-15: 2 minutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 minutes Rb-82: 1,3 minutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 minutes Meanwhile the half life span goes by milk pumping and freezing is recommended: it is safe to use the milk after a 10 half life span period.

Alternate Drugs for Radioactive Isotope, Radioisotope, Radionuclide, Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals. ATC V09

Disclaimer: Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. We do not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.