Karen Y. Oh MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Victoria Roberts PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Matthias C. Schabel PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kevin L. Grove PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mark Woods PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Antonio E. Frias MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To determine whether gadolinium chelate is found in the nonhuman primate fetal tissues and amniotic fluid after maternal injection of intravenous gadoteridol.

Gravid macaques (n=12) were maintained on a control diet (14% calories from fat, n=4) or a high fat diet (36% calories from fat, n = 8). On gestational day 129, the macaques were injected with ProHance gadolinium contrast for placental imaging (equivalent to the third trimester). Gadolinium dose was varied based on maternal weight, using 0.1 mmol/kg dosing. Fetuses were delivered via cesarean section within 24 hours of maternal injection (range 19-21 hours). Gadolinium concentration in the placenta, fetal tissues (bone, liver, brain, kidney) and amniotic fluid was obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Gadolinium chelate crosses the placenta from the maternal circulation. The levels of residual ProHance in fetal tissue after 19-21 hours following maternal injection expressed as percent dose per gram (%ID/g) or percent dose per organ (%ID/organ). Highest concentrations are present in the amniotic fluid and placenta (0.126 and 0.087 %ID/organ respectively). Per gram of tissue, highest concentrations were found in the fetal kidneys (0.0151 %ID/g). Overall amounts of gadolinium were minimal compared to the injected maternal dose. No difference in concentrations was found between those primates fed the high fat or Western diet (n=8) and the control diet (n=4).

Minimal residual gadoteridol gadolinium chelate is found in primate fetal tissues and amniotic fluid by 24 hours following maternal injection of weight-based clinical doses of gadolinium in the third trimester. Given the similarities between human and nonhuman primate placentas, we suggest there is relatively little deposition in human fetal tissues following maternal ProHance injection. While there will likely be continued debate whether gadolinium administration during pregnancy is justified, our study provides information that may alleviate some uncertainty regarding the potential for gadolinium free ion toxicity to the fetus following maternal dosing.

After injection of gadoteridol in the gravid primate, minimal amounts of this gadolinium chelate is found in fetal tissues and amniotic fluid within 24 hours after injection. Our results may have implications for the safety of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in pregnancy.

Oh, K, Roberts, V, Schabel, M, Grove, K, Woods, M, Frias, A, Gadolinium Chelate Contrast in Pregnancy: Fetal Biodistribution in the Nonhuman Primate.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14014238.html