title: Neonatal benzodiazepines exposure during breastfeeding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess central nervous system depression and other adverse effects in infants exposed to benzodiazepines through breast milk.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospectively recruited, retrospectively assessed cohort study of mothers who contacted the Motherisk program regarding the safety of benzodiazepines and were invited to participate in a follow-up program regarding the effects of these medications on their infants during lactation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 124 consenting women participated. Adverse outcomes, specifically sedation, was identified in only 1.6% (2 of 124) of infants and was not associated with benzodiazepine dose, number of hours breastfed, or any demographic trait. Mothers reporting adverse outcomes in themselves (26% [32 of 124]) were more likely to be taking concomitantly a greater number of central nervous system depressants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports the continued recommendation to initiate breastfeeding while taking benzodiazepines postpartum.
authors.affiliation: Schulich School of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Lauren E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Poon
authors.forename: Parvaz
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Madadi
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014149:Tranquilizing Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines