A Review of Adverse Reactions in Infants From Medications in Breastmilk

This article reviews the literature on adverse drug reactions in infants since a previous review in 2002. Case reports and studies of adverse drug reactions in breastfed infants whose mothers were taking a prescribed or over-the-counter medication were selected. Fifty-three case reports and 16 studies were located. Serious acute adverse drug reactions from drugs in breastmilk appear to be uncommon. Infants under 2 months of age, and especially those under 1 month, appear to be most susceptible. Similar to previous reviews, free iodine, opioids, and the use of multiple central nervous system drugs simultaneously were identified as drugs of concern. A few narrowly focused studies are now available on long-term effects of maternal drug therapy on breastfed infants and they are mostly reassuring.
Source: Clinical Pediatrics - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Articles Source Type: research