Safety of Contrast Material Use During Pregnancy and Lactation

Abstract

The use of contrast media to image patients who are pregnant has increased during the past decades worldwide. Their use in pregnancy and in patients who are lactating remains a challenging issue for radiologists and other physicians. This article addresses the different types of contrast media that may be used in such patients according to the imaging modality (iodinated contrast media, barium, gadolinium-based, and ultrasound contrast agents), focusing on their adverse effects, potential teratogenic effects, strategies to minimize risks, and current clinical recommendation.

Keywords: Barium sulfate; Contrast media; Contrast-enhanced ultrasound; Gadolinium-based contrast media; Iodinate-based contrast media; Lactation; Pregnancy.