Radiation Protect while Breastfeeding

What is Radiation Protect used for?

Is Radiation Protect usage safe while breastfeeding? If a lactating mother is using it can there be any effect on growth or development of infant?

Chondrus crispus while Breastfeeding

This is a moss that contains a lot of mucilage, carrageenin (Galactose polymers), much Iodine and some Arsenic. The Commission E of the German Ministry of Health has not approved any medical indication of this plant. Traditionally used as a laxative drug. It is also used to make fluids thicker or jelly-like in the food and cosmetic industry. We have to take into account its content of iodine in order to achieve WHO’s recommendations on Iodine supplementation.

Fucus vesiculosus while Breastfeeding

Seaweed. The stem of the plant is used.It contains large amounts of mucilage and minerals, including iodine which appears in variable amounts that can be significant, in such a way that it may be a cause a hyperthyroidism-like disease (anxiety, insomnia, tachycardia, palpitations).It may also contain heavy metals, being a species of seaweed with a high ability of contamination by toxic products. The commission E of the German Health Ministry has not approved any clinical indication, discouraging its use. At latest update no published data on excretion into breast milk were found. However, there is information from other algae whose consumption is known to increase iodine levels in the plasma and breast milk.There have been reports of hypothyroidism in infants whose mothers have included in their diet important quantities of seaweed. There is no evidence of effectiveness on increasing milk production. The most effective method to increase milk production should be done by strengthening maternal self-confidence, evaluate and correct problems along with an effective support to breastfeeding mothers.

Cadmium iodide while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 7440-43-9

Environmental pollutant. Heavy metal produced by zinc and charcoal mining industry, water plumbing, tobacco smoking, and burning of residual material. Benefits of breastfeeding are largely more important than risk related to the presence of mild level environment pollutants in human milk, in many instances, they are at lower content than those found in cow’s milk or other food. (Codex alimentarius FAO-WHO).

Cadmium sulfide while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 7440-43-9

Environmental pollutant. Heavy metal produced by zinc and charcoal mining industry, water plumbing, tobacco smoking, and burning of residual material. Benefits of breastfeeding are largely more important than risk related to the presence of mild level environment pollutants in human milk, in many instances, they are at lower content than those found in cow’s milk or other food. (Codex alimentarius FAO-WHO).

Iodine while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 7553-56-2

Disinfectant that contains high amount (2-7%) of Iodine in solution with alcohol or water (Lugol's solution) Not absorbed through intact skin of adults. However, it may trespass the inflamed skin, wounds, mucosa surfaces like vagina, in which case can reach concentration in grams in the human serum (1 g = 1,000 milligrams = 1,000,000 micrograms). Normal daily allowance is considered to be as high as 100 to 150 micrograms that increases to 200 – 300 micrograms in pregnancy or nursing period. The latter means less than one third of a milligram. Iodine is concentrated into breast milk with a level that could reach 20 times higher than the concentration in the blood. It has been found higher levels of Iodine, altered results of neonatal screening test for thyroid function, and, transient hypothyroidism in infants whose mothers were exposed to Iodine Povidone. Use should be avoid in the Delivery Room, Operating Room (C-section), Neonatal Units, Toddler admision areas and during the breastfeeding period. Sporadic or inadvertent use, specially on normal skin, does not require special test or procedures because it does not pose higher risk to the child.

Alcohol, x-ray exposed (1000 rad) while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 64-17-5

While breastfeeding it is recommended to avoid use of alcohol or do it occasionally and moderately (ABM 2015). Drinking beer does not increase milk production (Mennella 1993-2001, Comité Lm AEP 2012). Long term consumption may cause: sedation, failure to thrive, psychomotor delay in the infant (Little 1989, Moretti 2000, Koren 2002, Backstrand 2004, Sachs 2013), although the data are inconsistent (Little 2002, Haastrup 2014, ABM 2015). One case of Pseudo-Cushing Syndrome was reported that disappeared after alcohol stop by the mother (Moretti 2000). It is controversial that alcohol consumption is associated with shorter duration of breastfeeding (Giglia 2008, Rebhan 2009, Mgongo 2013). Despite of low increase of Prolactin serum level (Sarkola 1999), acute consumption affects the infant with sedation, and, inhibits Oxytocin secretion in the mother (Cobo 1973, Coiro 1992, Chien 2009) and hence affects the ejection reflex of breast milk with a decrease of 10% to 25% of milk production (Mennella 1991-1993-1997-1998-2001-2005). Excessive acute ingestion by the mother may induce coma, seizures and danger of death in the infant (Swiderski 2011). Both beer 0.0% and non-alcoholic (<1%) may be drunk by the nursing mother (Koletzko 2000, Schneider 2013). Increase of anti-oxidant properties of the milk have been recognized (Codoñer 2013). Elapsing time required to resume breastfeeding after occasional consumption of alcohol by the mother in order to ensure disappearance of milk and blood (Ho 2001) depends on mother's body weight (lesser weight needs longer time to wait), and, on the amount ingested (higher amount needs longer time). Stop breastfeeding for longer than two and a half hour for every 10 - 12 g of ingested alcohol: 330 mL of 4.5% beer, 120 mL (1 glass) of 12% wine, or, one cup of 40% - 50% liquor. Suggested time-periods to stop breastfeeding for a 60 kg of body weight woman are: 1 glass of wine = 2.5 hours; 660 mL of beer = 5 hours; 3 cups of liquor = 7.5 hours (ABM 2015: See reference values at Can Fam Physician 2002) Some medicinal products containing high concentrations of alcohol as an excipient should be avoided during breastfeeding (Nice 2000). Avoiding bed-sharing is recommended to mothers who have drunk alcohol (UNICEF 2006, ABM 2008, Landa 2012, UNICEF 2013). When topically used as disinfectant, alcohol is compatible with breastfeeding (WHO 2002).

Arnica montana while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 977000-27-3

Se utilizan las flores y también raíces y hojas de esta planta herbácea.Contiene lactonas sesquiterpénicas, aceite esencial, flavonoides y trazas de alcaloides pirrolizidínicos.Uso tópico sobre piel íntegra.Indicaciones en medicina tradicional sin pruebas de su eficacia: antiinflamatorio tópico en contusiones, esguinces y dolores musculares localizados (EMA 2014). No aplicar sobre piel dañada.Es muy tóxica por vía oral (Anderson 2017) habiéndose descrito gastroenteritis, arritmia cardiaca problemas neurológicos y muerte (WHO 2007 p.77, n.a.l. 2001) en personas que la tomaron y un caso de anemia hemolitica grave en un recién nacido de 9 días cuya madre tomaba infusión de arnica (Miller 2009). A fecha de última actualización no encontramos datos publicados sobre su excreción en leche materna. La pequeña dosis y la escasa absorción plasmática de la mayoría de preparaciones dermatológicas tópicas  hacen poco probable el paso de cantidad significativa a leche materna. No aplicar sobre el pecho para que el lactante no lo ingiera, ni en áreas extensas o por periodos prolongados para evitar absorción sistémica. Conviene lavarse las manos después de la aplicación de arnica para evitar un posible contacto con la boca del lactante.

Iodine while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 7553-56-2

Iodine is an essential trace nutrient for all infants that a normal component of breastmilk. Infant requirements are estimated to be 15 mcg/kg daily in fullterm infants and 30 mcg/kg daily in premature infants.[1] Systematic reviews and studies on iodine nutrition found that iodine in breastmilk is adequate in iodine-sufficient countries, but in countries with iodine fortification of foods, many mothers did not obtain adequate iodine and that additional supplementation was desirable.[2][3][4][5] In iodine-deficient areas, supplementation of breastfeeding mothers with iodine appears to be more effective than direct supplementation of the infant in reducing infant iodine deficiency.[6] The American Thyroid Association recommends that breastfeeding women should supplement their diet with a daily oral supplement that contains 150 mcg of iodine, but sustained iodine intake while breastfeeding that exceeds 500 to 1100 mcg daily should be avoided.[7] A survey in the United States between 2011 and 2014 found that only 19% of lactating women used a dietary supplement that contained iodine.[8] The use of excessive amounts of iodine in the mother near term and during breastfeeding (e.g., seaweed soup) can increase breastmilk iodine levels and cause transient hypothyroidism in breastfed infants. The absorption of iodine can be marked after application to open wounds or mucous membranes. Exposure of mothers to unnecessary iodine who are or will be breastfeeding should be avoided or minimized to the extent possible by avoiding its use on maternal mucous membranes (e.g., vaginal use, wound therapy), avoiding prolonged contact time, avoiding repeated applications, and applying it to the smallest possible surface areas of the body. It is possible that maternal exposure to iodine near term could interfere with thyroid studies done as a part of newborn screening tests.

Alcohol, x-ray exposed (1000 rad) while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 64-17-5

The effects of maternal alcohol (ethanol) ingestion during lactation are complex and depend on the pattern of maternal drinking. Alcohol decreases milk production, with 5 drinks or more decreasing milk letdown and disrupting nursing until maternal alcohol levels decrease. Beer may increase serum prolactin levels during nursing because of polysaccharides from barley and hops. After ingestion of nonalcoholic beer, the antioxidant capacity of milk is increased, but alcohol levels in milk are negligible. Women with a family history of alcoholism have a blunted prolactin response following breast stimulation and tend to breastfeed more frequently to compensate. Breastmilk alcohol levels closely parallel blood alcohol levels. The highest alcohol levels in milk occur 30 to 60 minutes after an alcoholic beverage, but food delays the time of peak milk alcohol levels. Nursing after 1 or 2 drinks (including beer) can decrease the infant's milk intake by 20 to 23% and cause infant agitation and poor sleep patterns. The long-term effects of daily use of alcohol on the infant are unclear. Some evidence indicates that infant growth and motor function may be negatively affected by 1 drink or more daily, but other studies have not confirmed these findings. Heavy maternal use may cause excessive sedation, fluid retention, and hormone imbalances in breastfed infants. Casual use of alcohol (such as 1 glass of wine or beer per day) is unlikely to cause either short- or long-term problems in the nursing infant,[1] especially if the mother waits 2 to 2.5 hours per drink before nursing, and does not appear to affect breastfeeding duration. Daily heavy use of alcohol (more than 2 drinks daily) may affect infants negatively and appears to decrease the length of time that mothers breastfeed their infants. Nursing or pumping within 1 hour before ingesting alcohol may slightly reduce the subsequent amounts of alcohol in breastmilk.

What should I do if I am breastfeeding mother and I am already exposed to Radiation Protect?

I am nursing mother and my doctor has suggested me to use Radiation Protect, is it safe?

If I am using Radiation Protect, will my baby need extra monitoring?

Who can I talk to if I have questions about usage of Radiation Protect in breastfeeding?