Is Chromium Cr 51 Edetate safe while breastfeeding?

Summary of use during breastfeeding

Information in this record refers to the use of chromium Cr 51 edetate (Cr 51-ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid; Cr 51-EDTA) as a diagnostic agent for the estimation of glomerular filtration rate. The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other international agencies state that breastfeeding need not be interrupted after administration of Cr 51 edetate 60 MBq (1.6 mCi) or less to a nursing mother.[1-3] However, to follow the principle of keeping exposure "as low as reasonably achievable", some experts recommend nursing the infant just before administration of the radiopharmaceutical and interrupting breastfeeding for 2 to 6 hours after the dose, then expressing the milk completely once and discarding it. 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.[4-6]

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.[7]

Effects on the breastfed infant

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

Effects on milk supply

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

Levels in milk

Cr 51 is a gamma emitter with a principal photon energy of 320 keV and a physical half-life of 27.7 days. The effective half-life of Cr 51 edetate ranges from 5 to 11 hours, depending on kidney function.[4,7] and about 0.065% of an administered dose is excreted into breastmilk.[2]