Human Data
Contrast agent is visualized in the placenta and fetal tissues after maternal GBCA administration. Cohort studies and case reports on exposure to GBCAs during pregnancy have not reported a clear association between GBCAs and adverse effects in the exposed neonates. However, a retrospective cohort study, comparing pregnant women who had a GBCA MRI to pregnant women who did not have an MRI, reported a higher occurrence of stillbirths and neonatal deaths in the group receiving GBCA MRI. Limitations of this study include a lack of comparison with non-contrast MRI and lack of information about the maternal indication for MRI.
Animal Data
Gadolinium Retention
GBCAs administered to pregnant non-human primates (0.1 mmol/kg on gestational days 85 and 135) result in measurable gadolinium concentration in the offspring in bone, brain, skin, liver, kidney, and spleen for at least 7 months. GBCAs administered to pregnant mice (2 mmol/kg daily on gestational days 16 through 19) result in measurable gadolinium concentrations in the pups in bone, brain, kidney, liver, blood, muscle, and spleen at one-month postnatal age.
Reproductive Toxicology
Gadoteridol was administered in intravenous doses of 0, 0.375, 1.5, 6.0, and 10 mmol/kg/day [0.6, 2.4, 9.7, and 16 times the recommended human dose (RHD) based on body surface area (BSA)] to female rats from gestational day (GD) 6 until GD17. Gadoteridol at 10 mmol/kg/day for 12 days during gestation doubled the incidence of post-implantation loss. When rats were administered 6.0 or 10.0 mmol/kg/day for 12 days, an increase in spontaneous locomotor activity was observed in the offspring. Pregnant rabbits were administered gadoteridol in intravenous doses of 0, 0.4, 1.5, and 6 mmol/kg/day (1.3, 4.8, and 19.4 times the RHD based on BSA) from GD6 to GD18. Gadoteridol increased the incidence of spontaneous abortion and early delivery in rabbits administered 6 mmol/kg/day for 13 days during gestation.
Gadoteridol injection excretion in the milk of lactating rats was evaluated at 30 minutes, 6 and 24 hours after intravenous administration of 0.1 mmol/kg of
153Gd-gadoteridol to nursing mothers. Small amounts of compound were found in milk immediately after injection (0.14% of the ID), with the amount declining to a low level 24 hours after injection (<0.01% of the ID).