Question

I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Fluorodeoxyglucose F18? Is Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 safe for nursing mother and child? Does Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 extracts into breast milk? Does Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 influence milk supply or can Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

Answer by DrLact: About Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 usage in lactation

Information in this record refers to the use of fluorodeoxyglucose F18 (18F-FDG) as a diagnostic agent. The use of 18F FDG in positron emission tomography (PET) scans may be preferable to other types of scans during breastfeeding because of the low levels and rapid disappearance of radiation.[1] The amounts of 18F-FDG excreted in breastmilk after a PET scan are below the level of concern for the breastfed infant and numerous international radiation safety organizations state that no interruption of breastfeeding is necessary.[2][3][4][5] However, because of extensive uptake by lactating breasts and the consequent external radiation, nursing mothers should refrain from prolonged close contact with their infants for a period of time.[1][6][7][8] Some authors suggest that the infant be bottle fed with expressed breastmilk by a third person for 1 feeding or 4 to 12 hours, depending on the dose, after a PET scan with 18F-FDG in a nursing mother.[1][2][6][9] Nursing mothers should not work with radioactive substances used in PET scans in their workplace.[10]

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