title: Excretion of low molecular weight heparin in human milk.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The excretion of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in breast milk was investigated in 15 lactating mothers after Caesarean section.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood and milk samples were collected before and 3-4 h after once daily routine subcutaneous injection of 2500 IU dalteparin. Anti-Xa activity was measured by an assay utilizing prolonged clotting times in plasma or breast milk as an index of LMWH activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma anti-Xa activities ranged from 0.074 to 0.308 IU ml(-1) of plasma. Anti-Xa activities in breast milk ranged from < 0.005-0.037 IU ml(-1) of milk. This is equivalent to a milk/plasma ratio of < 0.025-0.224.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therefore, it appears highly unlikely that puerperal thromboprophylaxis with LMWH has any clinically relevant effect on the nursing infant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology, Benjamin Franklin University Hospital, Berlin, Germany. richter.c@gmx.de
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sitzmann
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weitzel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Huch
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huch
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D017985:Dalteparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D015951:Factor Xa / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007774:Lactation; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D015951:Factor Xa; D017985:Dalteparin