Leaking silicone breast implants

[TriciaT]

There has recently been a lot in the press here about a French brand of silicone breast implants which have been found to be leaking. I have seen your monograph in Medications and Mothers' Milk 14th, but wondered if you have any more to add. Given the low bioavailibility of silicones, I realise it is unlikely to be an issue. I also wondered how easy it would be for a lab to test a women's breastmilk if she was concerned at all.

Many thanks,

Tricia Taylor
Sydney, Australia

[admin]

Tricia:

With these implants, it was the contaminants that were present that produced the side effects, not the silicone itself. As for testing, I think it would be possible, but you would have great difficulty ever finding a facility that could test for them. Perhaps the French may have such facilities, but I don't know of any.

I think the most important thing is get the implant removed and replaced with a good one.

Tom Hale Ph.D.

[texasamy]

Breastfeeding with leaking implant

My SIL is pregnant and discovered one of her silicone implants is leaking. Is there concern in breastfeeding on the leaking side? Should she pump/dump to be safe. She plans to breastfeed but unfortunately will not be able to correct the issue before baby's birth.

[admin-james]

Hi, thanks for your post.

Silicone is present in a wide variety of foods including commercially available infant formula. So far, we have not found any problems in babies, other than some diarrhea from large exposures. Have her express a little breastmilk from that side prior to feeding and take a close look at it. If it appears more or less normal, go ahead and feed. If it is grossly bloody or obviously contaminated with a thick, clear gel, then pump and dump until the problem resolves.

Please call us at the InfantRisk Center if this has not completely answered your question.*(806)352-2519

-James Abbey, MD
and
-Thomas W. Hale, Ph.D.