Cortisone and Breastfeeding

Summary of use during lactation

Cortisone is a normal component of breastmilk that passes from the mother's bloodstream into milk and might have a role in intestinal maturation, the intestinal microbiome, growth, body composition or neurodevelopment, but adequate studies are lacking.[1] Concentrations follow a diurnal rhythm, with the highest concentrations in the morning at about 7:00 am and the lowest concentrations in the late afternoon and evening.[2,3] Cortisone has not been studied in breastmilk after exogenous administration in pharmacologic amounts. Although it is unlikely that dangerous amounts of cortisone would reach the infant, a better studied alternate drug might be preferred. Medium to large doses of corticosteroids given systemically or injected into joints or the breast have been reported to cause temporary reduction of lactation.

Drug levels in milk and infant serum

Maternal Levels. A study of 23 mothers found that cortisone was the predominant corticosteroid in breastmilk with an average concentration of 3.4 mcg/L over 24 hours. Concentrations were highest in the morning between 4:00 am and 10:00 am and lowest in the evening between 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm.[3] Cortisone was measured in the breastmilk of 22 women who delivered preterm infants between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation. The average cortisone concentration in breastmilk was 4.48 mcg/L with considerable variation. Mothers who gave birth before 30 weeks of gestation had an average cortisone concentration of 4.26 mcg/L and those who delivered after 30 weeks had an average concentration of 4.70 mcg/L.[4] Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects in breastfed infants

None reported with any corticosteroid.

Effects on lactation and breastmilk

Published information on the effects of cortisone on serum prolactin or on lactation in nursing mothers was not found as of the revision date. Medium to large doses of corticosteroids given systemically or injected into joints or the breast have been reported to cause temporary reduction of lactation.[5-9] A study of 46 women who delivered an infant before 34 weeks of gestation found that a course of another corticosteroid (betamethasone, 2 intramuscular injections of 11.4 mg of betamethasone 24 hours apart) given between 3 and 9 days before delivery resulted in delayed lactogenesis II and lower average milk volumes during the 10 days after delivery. Milk volume was not affected if the infant was delivered less than 3 days or more than 10 days after the mother received the corticosteroid.[10] An equivalent dosage regimen of cortisone might have the same effect. A study of 87 pregnant women found that betamethasone given as above during pregnancy caused a premature stimulation of lactose secretion during pregnancy. Although the increase was statistically significant, the clinical importance appears to be minimal.[11] An equivalent dosage regimen of cortisone might have the same effect.

Alternative drugs to consider

Methylprednisolone, Prednisolone, Prednisone

References

1. Hollanders JJ, Heijboer AC, van der Voorn B, et al. Nutritional programming by glucocorticoids in breast milk: Targets, mechanisms and possible implications. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2017;31:397-408.29221568 PubMed
2. van der Voorn B, de Waard M, van Goudoever JB, et al. Breast-milk cortisol and cortisone concentrations follow the diurnal rhythm of maternal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. J Nutr 2016;146:2174-2179.27629575 PubMed
3. Pundir S, Wall CR, Mitchell CJ, et al. Variation of human milk glucocorticoids over 24 hour period. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2017;22:85-92.28144768 PubMed
4. Pundir S, Mitchell CJ, Thorstensen EB, et al. Impact of preterm birth on glucocorticoid variability in human milk. J Hum Lact 2018;34:130–6.28903014 PubMed
5. McGuire E. Sudden loss of milk supply following high-dose triamcinolone (Kenacort) injection. Breastfeed Rev 2012;20:32-4.22724311 PubMed
6. Babwah TJ, Nunes P, Maharaj RG. An unexpected temporary suppression of lactation after a local corticosteroid injection for tenosynovitis. Eur J Gen Pract 2013;19:248-50.24261425 PubMed
7. Smuin DM, Seidenberg PH, Sirlin EA, et al. Rare adverse events associated with corticosteroid injections: A case series and literature review. Curr Sports Med Rep 2016;15:171-6.27172081 PubMed
8. Das N, Dave S, Dangaich R, et al. Lactation failure following therapeutic steroid treatment in a mother with postpartum depression and spinal-dural arteriovenous fistula: Case report and literature review. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2024;165:389-91.38093554 PubMed
9. Rosen-Carole C, Datta P, Palmiter K, et al. Transfer of injected triamcinolone into human milk of a lactating patient suffering from idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. Breastfeed Med 2023;18:74-7.36638194 PubMed
10. Henderson JJ, Hartmann PE, Newnham JP, Simmer K. Effect of preterm birth and antenatal corticosteroid treatment on lactogenesis II in women. Pediatrics 2008;121:e92-100.18166549 PubMed
11. Henderson JJ, Newnham JP, Simmer K, Hartmann PE. Effects of antenatal corticosteroids on urinary markers of the initiation of lactation in pregnant women. Breastfeed Med 2009;4:201-6.19772378 PubMed