MRI contrast agent 'potential risk' to the fetus
Screen women for pregnancy before using gadolinium, researchers say
21st August 2019
Epidemiologists have flagged concern over women unwittingly being exposed to gadolinium-based contrast agents for MRI when they don’t realise they’re pregnant.
A US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) researcher says the safety of these contrast agents has not been established and their use in pregnancy is not recommended unless it’s essential to the health of the woman or fetus.
"It is known that gadolinium contrast crosses the placenta and enters fetal circulation," says Dr Steven Bird (PhD) from the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
"Available data from cohort studies and