Antibiotics and Breastfeeding

Abstract

During the breastfeeding period, bacterial infections can occur in the nursing mother, requiring the use of antibiotics. A lack of accurate information may lead health care professionals and mothers to suspend breastfeeding, which may be unnecessary. This article provides information on the main antibiotics that are appropriate for clinical use and the interference of these antibiotics with the infant to support medical decisions regarding the discontinuation of breastfeeding. We aim to provide information on the pharmacokinetic factors that interfere with the passage of antibiotics into breast milk and the toxicological implications of absorption by the infant. Publications related to the 20 most frequently employed antibiotics and their transfer into breast milk were evaluated. The results demonstrate that most antibiotics in clinical use are considered suitable during breastfeeding; however, the pharmacokinetic profile of each drug must be observed to ensure the resolution of the maternal infection and the safety of the infant.

Use of interrupted time-series analysis to characterise antibiotic prescription fills across pregnancy: a Norwegian nationwide cohort study

“…Breastfeeding mothers may have different antibiotic filling patterns compared with non-breastfeeding ones. 40 Seventh, the ITSA is performed with an assumption that no other event than the interruption could have impact on the outcome measure. For antibiotics, this is far from the reality.…”

Gut microbiota in early life and its influence on health and disease: A position paper by the Malaysian Working Group on Gastrointestinal Health

“…Maternal intrapartum antibiotic use is reported to be associated with delayed colonisation of vaginal Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in neonates . Additionally, antibiotic use during breastfeeding may interfere with the infant's gut microbiota composition due to antibiotic transfer into the breast milk . While antibiotics may reduce short‐term complications, it is unknown for how long the use of antibiotics may have an impact on gut microbiota, and their long‐term effects are yet to be determined.…”

“…11 Additionally, antibiotic use during breastfeeding may interfere with the infant's gut microbiota composition due to antibiotic transfer into the breast milk. 31 While antibiotics may reduce short-term complications, it is unknown for how long the use of antibiotics may have an impact on gut microbiota, and their long-term effects are yet to be determined. Studies have associated repeated exposure of antibiotics in early infancy with diseases such as obesity and allergy in later life.…”

Assessment of Dentists’ Knowledge Concerning the Management of Breastfeeding Patients in Dental Office

“…Almost half of them indicated the administration of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Although the concentration of this antibiotic is low in breast milk in order to produce infant toxicity (0.68-1.3 μg / ml when administering 1g of amoxicillin -clavulanic acid), there is the possibility of hypersensitization of the infant to this drug and the alteration of the intestinal microbiota, so this should be avoided [23].…”