Impact of Lithium Carbonate on Breastfeeding and Infant Health
Study Overview
A recent study published in The Lancet Psychiatry investigated the effects of lithium carbonate on newborns when mothers use the medication for mental health issues after childbirth. The research aims to understand any potential harm to infants during breastfeeding.
The Importance of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is crucial for newborns and should ideally begin within the first hour after birth. It provides essential nutrients necessary for the infant’s growth and immune development. Experts emphasize that early breastfeeding also fosters the vital bonding experience between mother and child. Breast milk, produced during the latter months of pregnancy, contains all the nutrients required for a newborn’s healthy growth. Using substitutes for breast milk can lead to nutritional deficiencies and may result in developmental abnormalities or adverse immune responses.
Post-Natal Recovery and Mental Health Risks
The post-natal period, lasting approximately six months but potentially longer for some women, is a time for recovery after childbirth. Women with pre-existing mental health disorders are at an increased risk of experiencing mental health issues during this period, including postpartum depression.
Effects of Lithium on Pregnant Women
Lithium carbonate is a mood-stabilizing medication commonly used for individuals with severe anxiety. While it can improve mental health in postpartum women, it is known to have harmful effects on developing fetuses, potentially leading to complications during pregnancy and an increased risk of abortion.
Concerns about Lithium in Breast Milk
Despite the benefits of lithium for managing mood disorders following childbirth, concerns arise regarding its presence in breast milk. Lithium can transfer from a mother’s bloodstream into breast milk, raising the possibility of lithium toxicity in breastfeeding infants.
Research Findings
To explore these concerns, Megan Galbally and colleagues conducted a study examining the effects of lithium in breast milk on infants. They noted that adults eliminate lithium more efficiently through their kidneys than infants, suggesting that the adult dosage of lithium could pose significant risks to breastfeeding infants. The study’s findings were documented in The Lancet Psychiatry.
Negative Effects of Lithium on Infants
The analysis included 36 mother-infant pairs where mothers were on lithium treatment. Notably, one infant exhibited decreased muscle tone, hindering the development of essential motor skills. Other infants showed thyroid abnormalities, which can disrupt the body’s metabolic rate and fat distribution and may be life-threatening.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Given the results, experts conclude that the adverse effects of lithium toxicity in infants outweigh the positive aspects of breastfeeding for mothers undergoing anti-manic or anti-depression treatment. They advocate for exploring alternative bonding methods that do not involve breastfeeding or developing safer treatment plans to support mothers’ mental health while ensuring the well-being of their newborns.
Author Information
Written by Dr. Apollina Sharma, MBBS, GradDip EXMD
Reference: Galbally, M., Bergink, V., Vigod, S. N., Buist, A., Boyce, P., Chandra, P., … & Howard, L. M. (2018). Breastfeeding and lithium: is breast always best?. The Lancet Psychiatry.