Dialysis and Breastfeeding

Summary of use during lactation

There are reported cases of breastfeeding during dialysis. Analysis of breastmilk indicates that the milk concentrations of some solutes are abnormal. Authors who managed one patient suggest that breastfeeding after hemodialysis might be preferable to breastfeeding before hemodialysis and milk pumped just before dialysis should be discarded.[1] Another group discouraged breastfeeding by dialysis patients because of the abnormal content of breastmilk.[2] However, others have advocated for continued breastfeeding during dialysis.[3,4]

Drug levels in milk and infant serum

### Summary of Use during Lactation There are reported cases of breastfeeding during dialysis. Analysis of breastmilk indicates that the milk concentrations of some solutes are abnormal. Authors who managed one patient suggest that breastfeeding after hemodialysis might be preferable to breastfeeding before hemodialysis and milk pumped just before dialysis should be discarded.[1] Another group discouraged breastfeeding by dialysis patients because of the abnormal content of breastmilk.[2] However, others have advocated for continued breastfeeding during dialysis.[3,4] ### Effects in Breastfed Infants Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date. ### Effects on Lactation and Breastmilk Hyperprolactinemia is a well-known complication of chronic kidney disease.[5-7] Hyperprolactinemia can cause effects such as galactorrhea and hypertension. Dopaminergic agonists such as bromocriptine and cabergoline have been used to counteract these effects.[8,9] The prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed. A mother with end-stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis 3 times weekly partially breastfed her infant for 10 weeks postpartum. Breastmilk samples were collected at various times between day 10 and week 10 postpartum. Sodium and chloride concentrations in breastmilk were higher than in 6 control women without kidney disease, but sodium, chloride, potassium and magnesium in breastmilk were similar pre- and post-dialysis. Phosphate concentration in breastmilk was lower than normal, and the mother partially fed her infant with a high-phosphate formula to compensate. Urea, creatinine, and uric acid were higher in breastmilk than in controls, but all were reduced by dialysis; urea levels in breastmilk were normal in post-dialysis samples. Although glucose levels in breastmilk were lower in the patient's milk than in control milk, it was not different pre- and post-dialysis. Protein, triglycerides, cholesterol and immunoglobulins were similar to control milk and were not affected by dialysis. The authors suggest that breastfeeding after a dialysis session is preferable to breastfeeding prior to a dialysis session. They instructed the mother to discard milk pumped immediately prior to dialysis.[1] A woman who was on chronic hemodialysis of 20 to 24 hours per week plus renal replacement therapy delivered a healthy infant and breastfed her infant for 1 month. Several breastmilk components were measured 5 times on a dialysis day and compared to those in the milk of 5 normal control patients. Creatinine was always higher in the milk of the patient than the controls. The lowest levels of creatinine and urea in milk occurred 4 hours after dialysis. Total protein and albumin were lower than those of the control patients, with the lowest protein level immediately after dialysis. Albumin was affected less, but reached its lowest level at 4 hours after dialysis. Secretory IgA, IgA, IgM and 8 proinflammatory cytokines were not markedly different from the controls, but the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 were lower in the patient’s milk than in control milk after dialysis with the nadir at 7 hours after dialysis.[2] ### References

Effects in breastfed infants

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects on lactation and breastmilk

Hyperprolactinemia is a well-known complication of chronic kidney disease.[5-7] Hyperprolactinemia can cause effects such as galactorrhea and hypertension. Dopaminergic agonists such as bromocriptine and cabergoline have been used to counteract these effects.[8,9] The prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed. A mother with end-stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis 3 times weekly partially breastfed her infant for 10 weeks postpartum. Breastmilk samples were collected at various times between day 10 and week 10 postpartum. Sodium and chloride concentrations in breastmilk were higher than in 6 control women without kidney disease, but sodium, chloride, potassium and magnesium in breastmilk were similar pre- and post-dialysis. Phosphate concentration in breastmilk was lower than normal, and the mother partially fed her infant with a high-phosphate formula to compensate. Urea, creatinine, and uric acid were higher in breastmilk than in controls, but all were reduced by dialysis; urea levels in breastmilk were normal in post-dialysis samples. Although glucose levels in breastmilk were lower in the patient's milk than in control milk, it was not different pre- and post-dialysis. Protein, triglycerides, cholesterol and immunoglobulins were similar to control milk and were not affected by dialysis. The authors suggest that breastfeeding after a dialysis session is preferable to breastfeeding prior to a dialysis session. They instructed the mother to discard milk pumped immediately prior to dialysis.[1] A woman who was on chronic hemodialysis of 20 to 24 hours per week plus renal replacement therapy delivered a healthy infant and breastfed her infant for 1 month. Several breastmilk components were measured 5 times on a dialysis day and compared to those in the milk of 5 normal control patients. Creatinine was always higher in the milk of the patient than the controls. The lowest levels of creatinine and urea in milk occurred 4 hours after dialysis. Total protein and albumin were lower than those of the control patients, with the lowest protein level immediately after dialysis. Albumin was affected less, but reached its lowest level at 4 hours after dialysis. Secretory IgA, IgA, IgM and 8 proinflammatory cytokines were not markedly different from the controls, but the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 were lower in the patient’s milk than in control milk after dialysis with the nadir at 7 hours after dialysis.[2]

References

1. Balzer MS, Gross MM, Lichtinghagen R, et al. Got milk? Breastfeeding and milk analysis of a mother on chronic hemodialysis. PLoS One 2015;10:e0143340.26571490 PubMed
2. Kondakova EV, Filat'eva AE, Lobanova NA, et al. Case report: Applicability of breastfeeding the child of a patient with kidney failure with replacement therapy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023;10:1098324.36844211 PubMed
3. Orozco A, Piccoli G. Breastfeeding in the dialysis ward. Kidney Int Rep 2025;10:616–7.39990890 PubMed
4. Bajpai D, Mangalgi S, Verma P, et al. Pregnancy in women on home dialysis: Your questions answered. Perit Dial Int 2025:8968608251389274.41148202 PubMed
5. Cowden EA, Ratcliffe WA, Ratcliffe JG, et al. Hyperprolactinaemia in renal disease. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 1978;9:241–8.709894
6. Lim VS, Ferrari E. Hyperprolactinemia in chronic renal failure. Int J Artif Organs 1981;4:152–3.7327755 PubMed
7. Carrero JJ, Kyriazis J, Sonmez A, et al. Prolactin levels, endothelial dysfunction, and the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality in patients with CKD. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2012;7:207–15.22193237 PubMed
8. Gulleroglu K, Olgac A, Bayrakci U, et al. Hyperprolactinemia as a rare cause of hypertension in chronic renal failure. Ren Fail 2012;34:792–4.22462393 PubMed
9. van Leusen R, Meinders AE. Successful treatment of galactorrhoea during chronic haemodialysis with bromocriptine: A case report. Neth J Med 1977;20:278–82.565011