x-rays and BF

[Guest guest]

One of the peer counselors I work with reported to me the following:

A mom she is working with has a 2 month old baby and was totally BF

when she in a car accident 3 wks ago..broken bones and other injuries.

She was taking some narcotics for pain (doc told her to pump and dump

for 3 wks). The PC couldn't get a hold of her during this time, but now

just today was able to make contact. Mom has stopped the meds as of

last Tues. June 7 but has had 20 x-rays and will have a CAT-scan. She

is concerned about all the radiation affecting her milk.

As far as I know moms can have mammograms while BF, but I'm not sure

about that many x-rays and the CT-scan.

Anyone know if this is a problem?

She is ready to stop pumping unless she hears soon. She has asked her

Dr. who has still not returned her call for 2 days.

Broughton

[Guest guest]

this is all in the BF answer book - very easy to look up - i cannot do that right now, but if memory serves, none of those are a problem.

warmly,

Lyla

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of BroughtonSent: Monday, June 12, 2006 7:37 PMTo: Subject: x-rays and BF

One of the peer counselors I work with reported to me the following:A mom she is working with has a 2 month old baby and was totally BF when she in a car accident 3 wks ago..broken bones and other injuries. She was taking some narcotics for pain (doc told her to pump and dump for 3 wks). The PC couldn't get a hold of her during this time, but now just today was able to make contact. Mom has stopped the meds as of last Tues. June 7 but has had 20 x-rays and will have a CAT-scan. She is concerned about all the radiation affecting her milk.As far as I know moms can have mammograms while BF, but I'm not sure about that many x-rays and the CT-scan.Anyone know if this is a problem?She is ready to stop pumping unless she hears soon. She has asked her Dr. who has still not returned her call for 2 days. Broughton

[Guest guest]

I wrote the following for an LC Unit about breast surgery

that was never published. I'm glad to finally have a use for

it:

Radioactive Diagnostic Procedures

Radiation and radioactive agents are common tools used in diagnostic

procedures. The compatibility of the radioactive procedure with

breastfeeding depends upon the type of radiation used.

Radiation exists in two forms: pure energy and particulate. X-rays

use pure energy and are similar to visible light, but contain more

energy. The effects of an x-ray can be likened to using a flash

while taking a photograph; after the x-ray is taken, the radiation is no

longer present in the same way that the light from a camera is no longer

present after the flash has discharged. Mammograms and CT scans use

pure energy x-ray radiation, produced with a specialized light

bulb. It is not uncommon for mothers to be advised to “pump and

dump” their milk for an arbitrary period of time subsequent to

mammographic testing. This is not necessary. While x-ray

radiation does have the ability to mutate DNA such that any live cells

that have been exposed to it may mutate, resulting in cellular

dysfunction or uncontrolled replication (i.e., cancer), the pure energy

type of radiation used in mammogram and CT scan testing does not collect

in the milk and is therefore compatible with uninterrupted

breastfeeding.

Radioactive agents contain particulate radiation, which consists of atoms

with unstable nuclei that release radiation when they deteriorate, which

is useful in diagnostic imaging to delineate subtle tissue structures.

Ingestion or injection of a radioactive agent results in radiation

residing in the body until the radiation completely disintegrates or is

excreted. Consumption or injection of particulate radiation, such

as during a ductogram, MRI, MIBI scan, or PET scan, during lactation will

result transference of radioactive substances into the milk during milk

synthesis. The radioactive toxicity and compatibility with breastfeeding

depends upon the substance used. The radiopaque and radiocontrast

agents typically used in the ductogram, MRI, MIBI scan, or PET scan

diagnostic tests are extremely inert and are virtually unabsorbed after

oral administration (Hale, 2004). These products are commonly used in

pediatrics for diagnostic purposes and no effects have been reported

among babies who have ingested milk subsequent to radioactive agent

imaging procedures (Kubik-Hutch, 200; Nielsen 1987). It is

not necessary to interrupt breastfeeding when radiopaque and

radiocontrast agents are used in imaging procedures (Kubik-Huch 2000;

Rofsky 193; Nielsen 1987; Fitz- 1982).

The use of radioactive isotopes during diagnostic testing or therapy,

however, is contraindicated during breastfeeding as such compounds

accumulate in milk and are, therefore, hazardous to the infant that

ingests it. It is not necessary for mothers to wean with the

intention of complete cessation of breastfeeding in order to undergo a

procedure employing radioactive isotopes. She need only interrupt

breastfeeding temporarily, feeding her infant previously pumped milk or

formula until her milk is demonstrated by testing to be no longer

radioactive (most hospital radiology departments are able to perform the

tests). Frequent pumping during this time will protect her milk

supply ad accelerate removal of radiation from her body (Mohrbacher,

2004).

[Guest guest]

Thank you, . That really clarifies it well.

Re: x-rays and BF

I wrote the following for an LC Unit about breast surgery that was never published. I'm glad to finally have a use for it:Radioactive Diagnostic Procedures Radiation and radioactive agents are common tools used in diagnostic procedures. The compatibility of the radioactive procedure with breastfeeding depends upon the type of radiation used. Radiation exists in two forms: pure energy and particulate. X-rays use pure energy and are similar to visible light, but contain more energy. The effects of an x-ray can be likened to using a flash while taking a photograph; after the x-ray is taken, the radiation is no longer present in the same way that the light from a camera is no longer present after the flash has discharged. Mammograms and CT scans use pure energy x-ray radiation, produced with a specialized light bulb. It is not uncommon for mothers to be advised to “pump and dump” their milk for an arbitrary period of time subsequent to mammographic testing. This is not necessary. While x-ray radiation does have the ability to mutate DNA such that any live cells that have been exposed to it may mutate, resulting in cellular dysfunction or uncontrolled replication (i.e., cancer), the pure energy type of radiation used in mammogram and CT scan testing does not collect in the milk and is therefore compatible with uninterrupted breastfeeding.Radioactive agents contain particulate radiation, which consists of atoms with unstable nuclei that release radiation when they deteriorate, which is useful in diagnostic imaging to delineate subtle tissue structures. Ingestion or injection of a radioactive agent results in radiation residing in the body until the radiation completely disintegrates or is excreted. Consumption or injection of particulate radiation, such as during a ductogram, MRI, MIBI scan, or PET scan, during lactation will result transference of radioactive substances into the milk during milk synthesis. The radioactive toxicity and compatibility with breastfeeding depends upon the substance used. The radiopaque and radiocontrast agents typically used in the ductogram, MRI, MIBI scan, or PET scan diagnostic tests are extremely inert and are virtually unabsorbed after oral administration (Hale, 2004). These products are commonly used in pediatrics for diagnostic purposes and no effects have been reported among babies who have ingested milk subsequent to radioactive agent imaging procedures (Kubik-Hutch, 200; Nielsen 1987). It is not necessary to interrupt breastfeeding when radiopaque and radiocontrast agents are used in imaging procedures (Kubik-Huch 2000; Rofsky 193; Nielsen 1987; Fitz- 1982). The use of radioactive isotopes during diagnostic testing or therapy, however, is contraindicated during breastfeeding as such compounds accumulate in milk and are, therefore, hazardous to the infant that ingests it. It is not necessary for mothers to wean with the intention of complete cessation of breastfeeding in order to undergo a procedure employing radioactive isotopes. She need only interrupt breastfeeding temporarily, feeding her infant previously pumped milk or formula until her milk is demonstrated by testing to be no longer radioactive (most hospital radiology departments are able to perform the tests). Frequent pumping during this time will protect her milk supply ad accelerate removal of radiation from her body (Mohrbacher, 2004).