Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents
Background
Like iodinated contrast media, gadolinium-based contrast media have a plasma half-life of approximately
2 hours and are nearly completely cleared from the bloodstream in patients with normal renal function
within 24 hours. Also similar to iodinated contrast media, gadolinium-based contrast media are excreted
into the breast milk. It is likely that the overwhelming bulk of gadolinium excreted in the breast milk is in
a stable and chelated form [6].
Less than 0.04% of the intravascular dose given to the mother is excreted into the breast milk in the
first 24 hours [4-6]. Because less than 1% of the contrast medium ingested by the infant is absorbed from
its gastrointestinal tract [6,7], the expected systemic dose absorbed by the infant from the breast milk is
less than 0.0004% of the intravascular dose given to the mother. This ingested amount is far less than the
permissible dose for intravenous use in neonates. The likelihood of an adverse effect from such a minute
fraction of gadolinium chelate absorbed from breast milk is remote [2]). However, the potential risks to the
infant include direct toxicity (including toxicity from free gadolinium, because it is unknown how much,
if any, of the gadolinium in breast milk is in the unchelated form) and allergic sensitization or reaction.
These are theoretical concerns but none of these complications have been reported [5]. As in the case
with iodinated contrast medium, the taste of the milk may be altered if it contains a gadolinium-based
contrast medium [2].
Recommendation
Because of the very small percentage of gadolinium-based contrast medium that is excreted into the
breast milk and absorbed by the infant’s gut, we believe that the available data suggest that it is safe for the
mother and infant to continue breast-feeding after receiving such an agent [6].
Ultimately, an informed decision to temporarily stop breast-feeding should be left up to the mother after
these facts are communicated. If the mother remains concerned about any potential ill effects to the infant,
she may abstain from breast-feeding from the time of contrast administration for a period of 12 to 24 hours.
There is no value to stop breast feeding beyond 24 hours. The mother should be told to express and discard
breast milk form both breast after contrast administration until breast feeding resumes. In anticipation of
this, she may wish to use a breast pump to obtain milk before the contrast-enhanced study to feed the infant
during the 24-hour period following the examination.