Technetium Tc 99m Dextran and Breastfeeding

Summary of use during lactation

Information in this record refers to the use of technetium Tc 99m dextran as a diagnostic agent. No information is available on the use of technetium Tc 99m dextran during breastfeeding. The mother should withhold breastfeeding for 60 hours after a diagnostic dose. This length of time is 10 half-lives of the radioisotope, so the nursing infant should not be exposed to radiation if this guideline is followed. The mother can nurse just before administration of the radiopharmaceutical. If the mother has expressed and saved milk prior to the examination, she can feed it to the infant during the period of nursing interruption.[1-3] Mothers concerned about the level of radioactivity in their milk could ask to have it tested at a nuclear medicine facility at their hospital. When the radioactivity is at a safe level, she may resume breastfeeding. A method for measuring milk radioactivity and determining the time when a mother can safely resume breastfeeding has been published.[4] For nursing mothers who work with Tc 99m substances in their workplace, there is no need to take any precautions other than those appropriate for general radiation protection.[5]

Drug levels in milk and infant serum

Tc 99m is a gamma emitter with a principal photon energy of 140 keV and a physical half-life of 6.04 hours.[3] The biological half-life is 1.8 to 3.1 hours, giving an effective half-life from 1.4 to 2 hours.

Effects in breastfed infants

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

Effects on lactation and breastmilk

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

References

1. Mountford PJ, Coakley AJ. A review of the secretion of radioactivity in human breast milk: Data, quantitative analysis and recommendations. Nucl Med Commun 1989;10:15-27.2645546 PubMed
2. Early PJ, Sodee DB. Principles and practice of nuclear medicine. 2nd ed. St Louis Mosby-Year Book, Inc 1995:1380-1.
3. Dilsizian V, Metter D, Palestro C, Zanzonico P. Advisory Committee on Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI) Sub-Committee on Nursing Mother Guidelines for the Medical Administration of Radioactive Material. Final report submitted: January 31, 2019. 2019. https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1903/ML19038A498.pdf
4. Stabin MG, Breitz HB. Breast milk excretion of radiopharmaceuticals: Mechanisms, findings, and radiation dosimetry. J Nucl Med 2000;41:863-73.10809203 PubMed
5. Almén A, Mattsson S. Radiological protection of foetuses and breast-fed children of occupationally exposed women in nuclear medicine - Challenges for hospitals. Phys Med 2017;43:172-7.28882410 PubMed