Jason Brett Hartman BA, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Alok Harwani, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Nicholas Bhojwani MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Bahar Mansoori MD, Abstract Co-Author: Fellow, Sectra AB

Kelly Kuo, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Robert Morgan BA, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, Explorys Inc

Akshay Paspulati, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Pablo Riera Ros MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Medical Advisory Board, Koninklijke Philips NV Medical Advisory Board, KLAS Enterprises LLC Medical Advisory Committee, Oakstone Publishing Departmental Research Grant, Siemens AG Departmental Research Grant, Koninklijke Philips NV Departmental Research Grant, Sectra AB Departmental Research Grant, Toshiba Corporation

Karin Anna Herrmann MD, Abstract Co-Author: Consultant, Koninklijke Philips NV

Standard guidelines recommend that iodinated contrast media be avoided during pregnancy based on in vitro and animal studies but few reports have assessed its use clinically. We examined the risk of pregnancy complications associated with the use of intravenous iodinated contrast for CT in pregnant women.

We retrospectively reviewed charts of pregnant women undergoing CT with or without iodinated contrast at our institution between February 2005 and December 2013. We divided patients into a study group that received contrast with CT and a control group that underwent CT without contrast. Patients were only included if their CT was negative and they were followed until delivery. Demographic and clinical data was recorded and compared between the two groups using a two-tailed t-test.

336 pregnant women with CT during their pregnancy were recruited. 15 patients with positive CT results and 102 patients with poor follow-up were excluded. 128 patients received contrast with abdominal, pelvic, or chest CT and 91 underwent non-contrast head CT. Mean birth weight was significantly lower in the contrast administered group (2679 g) versus the control group (3055 g) (p<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between groups regarding mean age of the mother at the time of delivery, mean gestational age at delivery, or APGAR scores at 1 and 5 minutes (p>0.05). Mean gestational age at time of CT was significantly later in the contrast group (25 weeks vs. 22 weeks; p<0.05).

Based on this preliminary retrospective study it appears that the administration of iodinated contrast for CT during pregnancy may be associated with lower birth weight. Further studies are indicated to validate and understand this association.

Findings from this study may further substantiate the recommendations for limiting the use of iodinated contrast media for CT in pregnant patients.

Hartman, J, Harwani, A, Bhojwani, N, Mansoori, B, Kuo, K, Morgan, R, Paspulati, A, Ros, P, Herrmann, K, Decreased Birth Weight Associated with Administration of Intravenous Contrast for Computed Tomography during Pregnancy.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14015386.html