AT WHAT INFANT-AGE CAN LEVONORGESTREL CONTRACEPTIVES BE RECOMMENDED TO NURSING MOTHERS

Objective: Levonorgestrel (LNG), a low-dose progestin, does not affect lactation but like all drugs taken by breastfeeding mothers, it can b e transferred to the infant via breast milk. How infants of various ag es cope with this unwanted maternal drug would help in deciding when t o recommend this method of contraception to breastfeeding mothers. Met hods: The study was conducted in 30 exclusively breastfeeding mothers and their 4-, 12- and 24-week-old infants. The mothers daily received 30 mu g LNG over a five-week period, thus exposing their infants to ma ternal LNG for that period. Results: Four-week-old infants could neith er absorb nor metabolize LNG efficiently. Twelve-week-old infants coul d metabolize LNG more efficiently than absorb. Twenty-four-week-old in fants could do both efficiently. Conclusion: It is safe to introduce L NG to breastfeeding mothers at 12 weeks postpartum.