breastfeeding

Question 1

benefits for babies

Answer 1

transferal of antibodies, protection from infection, reduction of risk of allergies or diabetes

slower, healthier weight gain reducing chance of later obesity

less colic, constipation and diarrhoea

Question 2

benefits for mothers

Answer 2

reduced risk of osteoporosis, ovarian and breast cancer

weight loss

Question 3

breastmilk and PK characteristics - half life

Answer 3

shorter (1-3hours) is preferred to longer (12-24hours)

Question 4

breastmilk and PK characteristics - milk to plasma ratio

Answer 4

conc. of drug in mothers milk divided by conc. in mothers plasma

<1 preferable, >1.5 may indicate drug accumulation in milk

Question 5

breastmilk and PK characteristics - PB and MW

Answer 5

high PB (>90%) is preferred - drug stays in plasma compartment

high MW doesn’t transfer to milk

Question 6

breastmilk and PK characteristics - Vd and pKa

Answer 6

high Vd produces low milk levels

pKa - more ionic drug less capable of transferring to from plasma to milk
pKa < 7.2 preferred