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ABSTRACT To identify incidence and patterns of medication usage 134 breastfeeding mothers were surveyed 4-6 weeks after discharge from hospital. 96% were using one or more meds; 55% were
self-medicated, non-Rx items, & 41% were physician prescribed. 64% of those breastfeeding had completed one or more yrs. of college although ed. level was not correlated with predictions
of med. usage patterns. A significant (p<.025) level of women with high school or less ed. had stopped breastfeeding within 4 wks. after their infant's birth. Less than 50% of the
pediatricians knew the mother was taking any med. even though significant #'s of meds. for which adverse effect has been reported for the breastfeeding infant were being utilized &
despite availability of safer alternatives. Of health professionals involved, only 22% of obstetricians, 19% of pediatricians, & 9% of pharmacists discussed med. with the mother. By
category incidence of med. usage was: vitamins 50%, analgesics 20%, iron preparations 10%, laxatives 5%, antacids 2%. Info. supplied by manufacturers in their product labelling about drug
excretion into breast milk was poor or non-existing; for many meds which were being utilized, published info did suggest that significant doses could be ingested by the breastfeeding infant.
The study indicates the need for additional drug excretion info & health professional counseling for breastfeeding mothers to avoid potential adverse reactions for their infants.
ARTICLE PDF AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio A Harold Lubin, David J Waller & Janet S
Kasler Authors * A Harold Lubin View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * David J Waller View author publications You can also search for this
author inPubMed Google Scholar * Janet S Kasler View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT
THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Lubin, A., Waller, D. & Kasler, J. 479 THE INCIDENCE OF DRUG USAGE IN LACTATING MOTHERS. _Pediatr Res_ 15 (Suppl 4), 520 (1981).
https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00492 Download citation * Issue Date: 01 April 1981 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00492 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the
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